BUZZ-Australia's Latitude Group rises on stronger HY results

** Shares of Australia's Latitude Group LFS.AX rise as much as 8.9% to A$0.980, marking their biggest intra-day pct gain since February 20

** Shares hit their highest level since March 19

** Consumer lender reports HY2026 statutory net profit attributable of A$54.4 million ($38.83 million), up 37% from pcp

** Adds HY2026 net interest income rose 8.1% from last year to A$428.1 million

** Adds HY2026 interim dividend lifted to 5.5 AU cents per share

** LFS shares up 3.3% so far this week, their highest level in six months

** YTD, stock down 10.1%, including the session's moves

($1 = 1.4010 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Subhalakshmi Dey in Bengaluru)

((Subhalakshmi.Dey@thomsonreuters.com;))