PRUDENTIAL Corporation plc, Britain's biggest life insurer, reported an 8 per cent rise in operating profits in the first half of 1996 yesterday, with growth driven by the group's US activities.

The insurance giant's operating profit increased to £421 million sterling from £390 million in the first half of 1995.

This was significantly above the forecasts of analysts, who had estimated Prudential's operating profit at between £362 million and £400 million.

At brokerage Societe Generale Strauss Turnbull, analyst Mr Charles Lanada said the results were "very good", with the group's Jackson National Life subsidiary in the United States having done particularly well.