** Shares of Perpetual PPT.AX rise as much as 7.2% to A$18.39, their biggest intraday pct gain since October 2
** Co says half-year underlying profit after tax of A$112.7 million ($80.32 million), up 12% from year ago
** Shares hit their highest level since January 30
** YTD, PPT down 2.1%
($1 = 1.4031 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))