Prudential, HSBC and Standard Chartered Fall as China Taxes Offshore Insurance Returns
Prudential shares plunged 11.6% after reports that China has begun taxing returns from offshore insurance policies, threatening demand from mainland customers. The sell-off spread to HSBC and Standard Chartered, both down over 6%, weighing on London’s index. Beijing and Hangzhou cases cite a 20% tax on returns from Hong Kong-sold policies.