Aviva profit advances
UK-based composite Aviva has reported a 5% year on year rise in operating profit for the first six months of 2013, up to £1.01bn ($1.57bn), from £959m in the corresponding period last year, primarily as a result of reduced expenses, down 9% year on year to £1.53bn. The IFRS profit after tax was £776m, up from a loss of £624m in H1 2012.