Phoenix Group Holdings PLC on Monday upgraded its near-term cash generation targets after completing a funds merger.

The London-based life insurance provider said it completed its funds merger through a part VII transfer of Standard Life and Phoenix Life businesses into a single entity.

Phoenix shares rose 8.1% to 501.60 pence each on Monday morning in London.

Phoenix now expects to generate £1.8 billion in cash in 2023, up at least 29% from a previous guidance of £1.3 billion to £1.4 billion. For 2022, it had reported £1.50 billion of cash generation.

For the years 2023 to 2025, it increased its cash generation target by 9.8% to £4.5 billion from £4.1 billion.

The company said it expects to have a significant cash surplus at the end of 2023 which creates ‘further balance sheet optionality’.

Chief Executive Officer Andy Briggs said: ‘The completion of the funds merger of the Standard Life and Phoenix Life businesses into Phoenix Life Ltd, bringing together 8 million policies, is one of the largest UK insurance Part VII transfers ever completed. This reaffirms Phoenix Group’s position as the UK’s leader at delivering cost and capital synergies and generating value for customers and shareholders. This funds merger enables us to materially upgrade our cash generation targets and creates further balance sheet optionality for the group.’

Phoenix had bought the rights to the Standard Life brand from asset manager abrdn PLC in 2021.

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.