** Shares of Australia's Bell Financial BFG.AX rise as much as 10.2% to A$1.295, their biggest intraday pct gain since mid-July 2023

** Stock at its highest level since August 27

** Financial services provider reports unaudited profit before tax for 11 months to November of A$48.2 million ($32.00 million), up 17% from pcp

** Nearly 221,612 shares change hands, 2.6x the 30-day average volume

** Stock has fallen 5.6% this year, including session moves

($1 = 1.5060 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)

((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com))