** Shares of Regis Healthcare REG.AX jump 9.9% to A$7.08, their highest level since January 15

** Stock heads for biggest one-day pct gain since October 24 last year

** Melbourne-based aged care operator posts 1H26 underlying NPAT of A$29.7 million ($21.10 million), ahead of the Visible Alpha consensus of A$26.3 million, but only marginally ahead of last year's A$29.6 million

** 1H26 revenue from services jumped 18% to A$667.7 million, also beating market consensus of A$631 million

** Announces interim dividend of 9 Australian cents apiece

** Stock down 7.3% this year, as of last close

($1 = 1.4075 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru)

((Sameer.Manekar@thomsonreuters.com;))