Revenue rose 28 percent to $9.2 billion from $7.19 billion.

Analysts, on average, expected profit of $1.47 per share, on revenue of $8.23 billion, according to data provided by FactSet.

Prudential said individual annuity sales reached a record high of $4.8 billion in net sales, compared with $3.2 billion in the year-ago quarter. Stock market gains also helped drive up adjusted operating income in its retirement segment to $172 million from $169 million.

Its U.S. individual life and group insurance division reported a 6 percent profit drop, to $136 million, as group disability claims fell and fewer life insurance claims were paid out.

Prudential's international insurance segment showed a 37 percent profit jump, to $672 million. That includes a benefit of $153 million from the partial sale of an investment in China Pacific Group. Better investment results and contributions from Star Life Insurance Co. Ltd. and Edison Life Insurance Co., both acquired in late 2010 from American International Group Inc.

Prudential's Gibraltar Life business did not include the impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami because of its reporting calendar. The company expects claims arising from the twin disasters of about $55 million will be included in second-quarter results.

Assets under management amounted to $859 billion at March 31, 2011, compared with $693 billion a year earlier.

The company's closed-block business — life insurance and annuity policies that were issued before the company went public in December 2001 — reported a profit of $19 million, down from a profit of $161 million a year ago.

Prudential shares edged down 8 cents to $62.35 in aftermarket electronic trading, after closing Wednesday's regular session down 75 cents at $62.43.