Prudential to split into two companies to target Asian and African markets

After demerger M&G Prudential is likely to be a part of FTSE 100

Prudential Plc soared on plans to split the firm by spinning off its U.K. operations, a move that will create an insurance business focused on faster-growth markets in Asia, Africa and the US.

Investors will receive shares in M&G Prudential, formed last year through the combination of its UK asset-management business with European insurance assets. Both firms are likely to be included in the benchmark FTSE 100 Index of the UK’s biggest companies. Ahead of the demerger, Britain’s largest insurer will also sell 12 billion pounds ($16.7 billion) of annuities to Rothesay Life.

Prudential, which derives about a third of