UPDATE 1-Computershare profit beats forecast, lifts outlook

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SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Computershare Ltd (CPU.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's biggest share registrar, beat expectations with a 30 percent rise in first-half profit and raised its full-year profit forecast, lifting its shares about 12 percent.

Profit growth was driven by record mergers and acquisitions activity globally in 2007.

"In light of the excellent half-year result, and despite the recent equity and interest rate market conditions, the company is expecting to report annual earnings approximately 40 percent higher than last year," the company said in a statement.

In November, Computershare had raised its earnings per share growth forecast to 30 percent, from 20 percent projected in August.

Computershare, which has built up its business largely through acquisitions, reported net profit of $154.9 million for six months ended December. Six analysts on average had projected Computershare's profit to be $146.9 million.

The net profit after adjustments totalled $155.8 million.

"Our global footprint and diversified business have allowed us to achieve our best six-month result despite less activity in some of our transactional-based operations," Computershare's CEO, Stuart Crosby said.

Computershare shares jumped as such as 11.8 percent to A$8.45 while the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.2 percent.