July 25 (Reuters) - Hartford Financial Services ( HIG )

reported a 28% rise in second-quarter profit on Thursday as the

insurer benefited from strong underwriting gains in property and

casualty (P&C) segments and higher returns on investments.

P&C written premiums rose 12% in the three months ended June

30, driven by commercial lines and personal lines premium growth

of 11% and 14%, respectively.

Insurance spending has remained resilient despite economic

uncertainty, boosting premiums from both individual customers as

well as corporate clients. Government-mandated policies for

salaried workers have also ensured steady demand.

"Commercial Lines maintained robust top-line growth at

highly profitable margins. Personal Lines continues to make

great strides towards restoring target profitability," said CEO

Christopher Swift.

Meanwhile, the industry has logged broad gains in investment

returns as higher yields lift their fixed-income portfolios.

Hartford's net investment income, before tax, climbed to

$602 million in the second quarter from $540 million, a year

earlier.

The company reported core earnings of $750 million, or $2.50

per diluted share. That compared with $588 million, or $1.88 per

diluted share, a year earlier.

(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj

Kalluvila)