INSURANCE

Prudential Dividend to Be Lower: Prudential Insurance Co. of America, based in Newark, N.J., said it plans to cut its dividend to policyholders for the second straight year because of lower anticipated returns from investments. Lower interest income from money the company invests and the continued real estate slump are chiefly responsible for the projected decline, a spokesman said. For the first six months of this year, Prudential posted a capital loss of $144 million. The size of the cut may be decided in December by Prudential’s board. In 1990, the board cut $140 million for this year, resulting in a payment 2% less this year than last.