Prudential (PRU.L) posted a forecast-beating 17 percent rise in first-half operating profit on Tuesday, boosted by strong performances across its Asian, U.S. and UK life and asset management businesses. In its first earnings update since Mike Wells took over as chief executive, Britain’s biggest insurer said its operating profits jumped to 1.9 billion pounds, beating an average forecast of 1.74 billion from analysts polled by the company. Wells, who relocated to London from the company’s U.S.