** Shares of Stealth Group SGI.AX rise 29.5% to A$0.9, set for their best day since late November 2021, if gains hold

** Co hits its highest level since May 27 after acquiringHardware & Building Trader Pty for A$22 million ($14.30 million)

** Hardware & Building Trader is Australia's largest privately owned national buying group for hardware and industrial sector, according to Stealth

** Co hikes FY28 sales outlook to more than A$500 million from A$300 million, hikes NPAT margin forecast to 5–8%, up from 5%

** Stock up ~109% this year, including the day's move

($1 = 1.5389 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)

((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))