(by G. Andersen)

U.K. insurance company Aviva said today the first half operating profits before tax rose 37% to 1.13 billion pounds, helped by a 7% rise in sales to 7.88 billion pounds on cost and pricing actions. Its dividend rose 4% to 9.36p. Life and pensions margins rose to 26.5% from 24.5%. Going forward, company said it sees a "sustainable, profitable outlook" and said profitability is responding well to ongoing value-based management actions across its businesses.