LIFE assurance group Metropolitan Life has announced an increase in headline earnings of 83%, from from R192-million to R352-million for the six months to the end of March. “I am delighted to be able to report that sustained growth in all areas of our business has considerably enhanced our competitive position,” Group finance director Preston Speckmann said on Wednesday. Interim dividends of 13 cents per share declared is 27% up on the figure for the previous half-year. Speckmann said this increase is in line with the group’s stated intention to grow profits at a rate in excess of 20% over a three year period.