'Blood on the trading floor' as Aviva dives 14%

clock

Blue chip insurer Aviva's shares have fallen 14% after the group revealed a £3bn loss in 2012 caused by a huge writedown in its US business.

The company - famed for its adverts using comedian Paul Whitehouse - topped the list of fallers on the FTSE 100, down 13.5% currently at 311.1p, having fallen as low as 303.5p - or over 15% - initially. The dive in the share price came after the grouyp reported the huge loss, which was caused by a writedown of £3.3bn from the sale of its US business last year. The group also slashed its final dividend by 44% from 16p to 9p per share and from 26p to 19p for the full year, a cut of 27%. Aviva's Mark Wilson, group chief executive officer, said 2012 had been a 'transition' year for the...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Trick or treat? The UK and global economy face their Halloween ghosts

Trick or treat? The UK and global economy face their Halloween ghosts

‘Wealth managers and market professionals are tiptoeing past economic graveyards’

Stephen Jones
clock 31 October 2025 • 4 min read
Why investors need to think about emerging markets a little differently

Why investors need to think about emerging markets a little differently

'Emerging markets are starting to look eerily similar to developed'

James Flintoft
clock 29 October 2025 • 3 min read
Watch PA's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford: Acting your age – when growing up pays off

Watch PA's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford: Acting your age – when growing up pays off

Catch up on the discussion

Professional Adviser
clock 29 October 2025 • 1 min read