** Ramsay Health Care RHC.AX climbs as much as 3.63% to A$43.65, its highest level since August 29, 2024

** Stock top gainer on the healthcare sub-index .AXHJ, which is up 0.2%.

** Hospital chain operator's stock set for its best month two-and-a-half decades, rising ~19%

** Jefferies lifts PT to A$40.50 from A$34.20; nudges up FY26 EPS forecast by ~4%, citing a materially lighter interest expense outlook as the key near-term driver

** Brokerage notes steady operational momentum in Australia with improving admission volumes, while cautioning that persistent labour‑cost pressures remain - albeit ones they expect premium increases to help counterbalance

** Says strength in Australia is being diluted by softer momentum in France and the UK, though the latter could see an inflexion in fourth quarter if higher NHS volumes materialise

** RHC up 12% this week, trouncing the AXHJ's 1.4% decline

** Stock on track for strongest weekly performance since November 24, 2025

(Reporting by Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

((Tanishk.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com; X: @thatstanishk http://www.x.com/thatstanishk;))