Ramsay Health Care Ltd's stock surged 7.89% during intraday trading on Thursday, following the release of its fiscal first-half results that exceeded market expectations.
The healthcare company reported underlying earnings of AU$0.71 per share for the six months ended December 31, 2025, significantly higher than the AU$0.59 analysts had anticipated and up from AU$0.654 a year earlier. Revenue also beat forecasts, reaching AU$9.38 billion compared to expectations of AU$9.25 billion.
Further boosting investor sentiment, the company announced an increased interim dividend of AU$0.425 per share, up from AU$0.40 previously, and lowered its full-year capital expenditure guidance to AU$755 million-AU$795 million, indicating improved capital efficiency. The board also provided positive guidance for its Australian business's earnings growth in fiscal 2026.