Ramsay Health Care : Restarts Dividends, 1st Half Profit Falls 13%

By David Winning

SYDNEY--Ramsay Health Care Ltd. resumed dividend payments even as its half-year net profit fell by 13%, reflecting divergent pressures on its global network of private hospitals created by the coronavirus pandemic

Infection rates remain high in countries such as the U.K. and France, forcing private hospitals there to suspend elective surgery and free up beds for those sickened with the virus. In contrast, Ramsay's operations in Australia have largely returned to normal as the number of people requiring ongoing treatment for Covid-19 is low.

Ramsay reported a net profit of 226 million Australian dollars (US$180 million) for the six months through December, down from A$258.4 million a year earlier.

Directors of the company declared an interim dividend of 48.5 Australian cents a share, representing a payout ratio of 50% of statutory profit.

Write to David Winning at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-24-21 1642ET