** Shares of LendLease Group rise as much as 2.9% to A$6.410, their highest since Dec. 18
** Construction co exits international operations via sale of its U.K. construction arm to Atlas Holdings
** Co to receive 35 mln pounds ($43.80 mln) in cash, including 10 mln pounds deferred until June 2026, subject to completion adjustments
** Sale accelerates progress to further simplify group and focus on growth of Australian operations and international investments platform - LLC
** Stock posts its biggest intraday pct gain since Dec. 23
** Stock fell 16.6% last year to post its fifth straight annual loss
($1 = 0.7992 pounds)
(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)
((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))