The Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHS) share price is in focus after the company reported first-half FY26 net profit after tax attributable to owners of $160.7 million and announced a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents per share.
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What did Ramsay Health Care report?
- Revenue from contracts with customers: $9,340.8 million, up 9.7% from 1H FY25
- Net profit after tax attributable to owners: $160.7 million, versus a $104.9 million loss in 1H FY25
- Underlying net profit after tax after non-controlling interests: $171.7 million, up 8.1%
- EBITDA: $1,118.4 million, up 6.4%
- Fully franked interim dividend: 42.5c per share, an increase of 6.3%
- Basic earnings per share (after CARES): 66.4 cents, up 234%
What else do investors need to know?
Ramsay's results reflected improved performance in its core Australian business and the absence of large impairments seen in the UK segment last year. Group revenue climbed on the back of increased activity and higher case acuity, particularly in Australia and Europe.
The company proposed to distribute its shareholding in Ramsay Santé, its European business, to shareholders via an in‑specie distribution if approved. The board declared a fully franked interim dividend of 42.5 cents, with a payout ratio of roughly 60% of underlying net profit after tax from continuing operations. Ramsay suspended its Dividend Reinvestment Plan for this dividend.
What's next for Ramsay Health Care?
Looking forward, Ramsay expects EBIT growth in Australia to continue, supported by ongoing activity growth, revenue indexation, and cost control. The UK acute hospital segment is preparing for continued NHS budget constraints until the new NHS fiscal year commences in April, after which additional funding is anticipated.
In Europe, Ramsay Santé's focus remains on cost control and operational efficiency, particularly as tariff indexation in France remains low. Across all regions, capital discipline and productivity improvements are key priorities. Group capex guidance for FY26 has been lowered to $755–795 million.
Ramsay Health Care share price snapshot
Over the past 12 months, Ramsay Health Care shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.
