PUK

Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU) shares climbed 4% to 963p on Thursday morning after UBS said the insurer's recent sell-off already reflects a worst-case outcome from concerns over Chinese money flowing into Hong Kong insurance products. The shares recovered some of the losses suffered in recent sessions, with the stock falling around 5% this week and down about 19% since regulatory measures affecting some mainland Chinese investment channels were announced on 22 May.

JPMorgan says Prudential PLC's (LSE:PRU) recent share-price slide has already baked in a bearish view of China-related insurance flows, leaving the Asia-focused insurer looking inexpensive even under a tougher regulatory scenario. The broker, which rates Prudential at Overweight, noted that the shares have fallen more than 10% since concerns emerged over Decree 837, a regulation whose implications for Hong Kong insurance sales to Mainland Chinese Visitor customers remain unclear.

The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell to its lowest level in more than two weeks on Thursday, weighed down by sharp declines in Asia-focused lenders and miners after reports of tighter offshore banking restrictions in China. Lower crude oil prices also dragged energy stocks lower, adding to the market's weakness.

UBS says a swap of Prudential's ICICI Pru Life stake for a controlling position in Bharti Life could release up to $1 billion in excess cash. Prudential PLC (LSE:PRU), the FTSE 100 insurer focused on Asian and African growth markets, could unlock significant shareholder value by swapping its roughly 22% stake in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance for an 85% controlling stake in Bharti Life Insurance, according to UBS.