Johannesburg - Sanlam [JSE:SLM] on Wednesday reported a 17% jump in earnings for the first four months of this year as its personal finance division sales grew.
Sanlam, which also has operations in Nigeria and 10 other African countries, said sales of its personal finance rose by 20% and new business grew by 15% to R68bn for the period to end-April.
The company, established nearly a century ago, said its African and Indian operations will remain under pressure from weaker economic growth in both regions.
The life-insurer's emerging markets division grew 2% as the fall in oil prices hit commodity exporters such as Nigeria and growth in Sanlam's home market was modest, it said.
Shares in Sanlam were flat on R68.12 by 15:30 GMT.