Market exit hits Bupa profits

HEALTH insurer Bupa said its profits have been dented by its exit from the Irish market.

The company yesterday said pre-tax profit for the six months to June 30 fell by 1% to £165 million (€205m) on revenue from continuing operations that increased 28% to £2.67 billion (€3.3bn).

The company said that, in line with its guidance for 2008 given in March, underlying surplus decreased by 9.2%, mainly reflecting its exit from Ireland in 2007 and initial dilution from recent acquisitions.