London, Jan 11, 2026, 09:06 (GMT) — Markets have closed.
- JPMorgan raised its price target for Prudential while maintaining an overweight rating.
- Prudential has kicked off a $1.2 billion share buyback, and daily purchases are already underway.
- The shares finished at 1,160.5p in London.
Prudential plc shares are set to draw attention when London markets open Monday, following JPMorgan’s decision to raise its price target on the insurer. The move spotlights capital returns, especially as a new share buyback kicks off.
Prudential closed Friday unchanged at 1,160.5p, having fluctuated between 1,147.5p and 1,163.6p during the session, per 5 .
This matters because a buyback—when a company buys back its own shares to reduce the float—can shift the stock’s supply and demand dynamics, particularly in low-volume conditions. Traders will also gauge how much new broker backing remains after a strong rally.
JPMorgan raised its price target on Prudential to 1,500p from 1,325p, keeping an “overweight” rating, signaling expectations the stock will outperform. The upgrade follows Prudential’s partial sale of its stake in India’s ICICI Prudential Asset Management. Despite a strong run-up in 2025, JPMorgan still sees upside. The stock slipped about 0.8% in morning trade on Friday, according to the report. 1
Prudential disclosed in a Friday filing that it purchased 331,277 ordinary shares at prices ranging from 11.565 pounds to 11.655 pounds, with an average price of 11.6085 pounds. The company intends to cancel these shares. Following the transaction, Prudential reported having 2,547,238,783 shares outstanding. 2
On Jan. 6, Prudential unveiled plans for a buyback program of up to $1.2 billion, aiming to wrap it up by Dec. 18, 2026, at the latest. CEO Anil Wadhwani stressed the company’s commitment to “high quality, sustainable growth, and consistent delivery of shareholder returns.” The buyback breaks down into $500 million from recurring capital returns and $700 million sourced from net proceeds of the ICICI Prudential Asset Management IPO. The firm cautioned that the timing and speed of repurchases might shift depending on market conditions. 3
JPMorgan’s 1,500p target, set at Friday’s close, stands roughly 29% above the latest trade. That gap might catch attention, though it pushes the expectations higher. Investors will be watching for continued buyback activity and solid earnings to back it up.
Prudential offers life and health insurance and manages assets throughout Greater China, ASEAN, India, and Africa, meaning investor sentiment can swing sharply with changing views on Asian growth and risk appetite. A buyback provides some support, but it doesn’t eliminate that exposure.
The risk is clear: the buyback could slow down or halt if conditions shift. The company has already warned that timing and pace hinge on market conditions and execution. With light volumes, even minor selling spikes might overwhelm buyback demand for a day or two.
Prudential’s next major event is its 2025 full-year earnings, set for March 19, 2026, at 06:00 a.m. Hong Kong time (10:00 p.m. UK time on March 18), according to the company’s calendar. 4
