In its half-year results, L&G’s core operating profit rose by 7% to £918m. The life company also reported growth in its protection business, which it says “remained strong” with a focus on “writing strong volumes at disciplined margins”. Gross protection premiums for its retail customers edged up by almost 2% to £784m. In its group protection business, gross premiums rose by 5% to £406m. Core operating profit grew 7%, core operating EPS increased 11%, and we have completed c.£450m of our £1.2bn buyback programme.