KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Bhd posted a stronger set of earnings, with net profit of RM29.86 million in the second quarter ended June 30, an increase of 17.2% from RM24.86 million a year ago, underpinned higher revenue from its hospitals.

It said on Monday, Aug 30 that revenue rose 10.6% to RM410.24 million from RM370.78 million. Operating profit was RM41.30 million compared with RM35.81 million.

?The profit before taxation for the current quarter has increased by 15.4% to RM41.3 million from RM35.8 million in the corresponding quarter 2009. The increase is in line with the increase in revenue of the hospitals,? it said.

Earnings per share were 5.54 sen while it declared an interim dividend of 3.25 sen.

On the outlook, KPJ said it expected the group?s financial performance to continue to be encouraging and better than the previous year as the economy improves.