Bupa health warning

BUPA posted a 19pc fall in profits last year after it sold part of its UK elderly care business and battled problems in its Australian business.

The healthcare company also warned that conditions will continue to be ‘challenging’ in a number of its key markets. Bupa made a pre-tax profit of £502m in 2018 compared with £620m the year earlier as revenue fell to £11.9bn from £12.2bn.

Bupa incurred a £36m loss from the disposal of a portion of its UK care homes and its stake in Torrejon Salud, a public hospital that the company ran in Spain.

Underlying profit for Australia and New Zealand declined 9pc to £ 313m, while profit for the UK arm fell 22pc to £156m.