** Australian healthcare sub-index up about 4.1% in the first half, compared with a 2.2% rise in the broader benchmark index
** Aussie healthcare companies depend on exports to the United States, and strength in the dollar has boosted earnings in the past six months
** Biotech giant CSL on track to rise 4%, while country's priciest stock Cochlear up 9.2%
** AXHJ boosted by an 82.5% surge in Telix Pharmaceutical
, as its prostrate cancer treatment clinical trials showed positive results
** Sigma Healthcare tracks a 24.8% jump even as its $5.9 billion merger with Chemist Warehouse faces regulatory concerns
** The sub-index, however, is dragged by pathology majors Healius and Sonic Healthcare downgrading FY24 earnings guidance in 1H2024, as growth in the sector lags below market estimates, according to Citi analysts
** SHL stock set to lose 17.8% in 1H2024 as co in late May flagged lowered expected FY24 EBITDA of A$1.6 bln ($1.06 bln)
** HLS flagged lowered underlying FY24 EBITDA between A$345 and A$350 mln in June, while its shares were on track to fall 9.8% in first half
($1 = 1.5042 Australian dollars)
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(Reporting by Aaditya Govind Rao and Shivangi Lahiri in Bengaluru)
((Aaditya.govindrao@thomsonreuters.com;))
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