Aegon NV reported first-half net income of €618 million, up 26% from €491 million a year ago, reflecting realized gains and lower other charges.
Net underlying earnings dipped 4% year over year to €833 million from €863 million as a result of outflows in fee businesses in the U.S. and increased investments to support growth.
Return on equity declined to 9.6% in the half from 10.1% a year earlier due to lower net underlying earnings and higher average shareholders' equity excluding revaluation reserves.
Aegon's Solvency II ratio decreased to 197% from 211% as normalized capital generation was more than offset by payment of the final 2018 dividend, adverse market impacts, and one-time items, including model and assumption changes in Asia.
The group said it will pay an interim dividend of 15 cents per common share, 7% higher than the year-ago payout.
