** Shares of Ramsay Health Care RHC.AX rise 14.6% to A$38.830

** Stock rose as much as 16.7& to A$39.5 earlier in the day, their highest level since December 10, 2024

** RHC announces HY underlying net profit after tax of A$158.9 million ($100.14 million), beating consensus estimate by 25%

** Hospital and healthcare services provider also declares an interim dividend of 40 Australian cents per share

** Company also reports a HY revenue of A$8.5 million, up 5.7% from last year

** Stock up 11.7% YTD, including current session's moves

($1 = 1.5868 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com))