Life insurer Prudential reported first quarter sales of £640 million on an Annual Premium Equivalent basis, up 8% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Analysts had expected sales of £613 million, according to a consensus forecast supplied by the company.
The result was marred slightly by a 23% fall in sales in the UK, which came in at £183 million.
The number was below analysts' expectations of £208 million.