Australia's Ansell H1 profit rises 28 pct

SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Ansell Ltd (ANN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's top rubber gloves maker, reported a 28 percent rise in first-half profit on Monday, helped by a Polish condom maker acquisition last year, and upgraded its full-year outlook.

Ansell, which makes household, industrial and medical gloves and condoms, posted a net profit of A$56.9 million ($51.3 million) for the six months to December, from A$44.4 million a year ago.

The company said it expected underlying full-year earnings per share of 58 to 62 U.S. cents, up from a forecast of 56 to 60 U.S. cents previously.

Shares in Ansell, which competes against Britain's SSL International (SSL.L: Quote, Profile, Research), have slipped 4.7 percent so far in 2008, just ahead of a 3.8 percent fall in the healthcare index . ($1=A$1.11) (Reporting by Ben Wilson)