Pathology and radiology provider Sonic Healthcare Ltd says it's well positioned to deliver essential services and increase its market share despite global uncertainty.

Sonic posted an eight per cent increase in first half profit on Tuesday and said it was on track to achieve its full-year guidance of 10 to 15 per cent earnings growth.

Chief executive Colin Goldschmidt said pathology was an 'absolute essential service' in the healthcare sector and Sonic had incredible infrastructure in the important markets of Australia, Germany and the USA.

'It really is a very nice position to be in going into the future, despite the uncertainties of the global climate etc,' Mr Goldschmidt told analysts in a briefing.

'It's a sector that tends to be shielded in some way from some of the downturns that occur in other sectors because it is an essential service.'

He said the Australian division was performing exceptionally well even though it had opened fewer collection centres than its competitors.

But he admitted the biggest drag on the company's growth was its US laboratory business which had been affected by the weak US economy.

Sonic Healthcare said its net profit after tax was $146 million in the six months to December 31, 2011, up eight per cent from $143 million in the prior corresponding period.

Mr Goldschmidt said ongoing headwinds from the strong Australian dollar had softened the company's results but did not affect underlying performance.

'In a time of global uncertainty and weak economic conditions, Sonic's operations continue to perform strongly, taking market share from competitors and increasing margins,' Mr Goldschmidt said.

Sonic's Australian Pathology operations have continued the turnaround which began in the second half of the 2011 financial year.

It comes as the company recorded revenue growth of eight per cent and more than 150 basis points of margin improvement.

The company said it was pleased with the outcome in a market still challenged by high collection costs as a result of changes to the regulations around collection centres.

Sonic's pathology operations in Germany were a standout performer and the company's other European pathology operations, including the radiology division and IPN, had also performed strongly during the half year.

The company's businesses in Belgium, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland were tracking well because they were not too exposed to the ongoing downturn in Europe.

Overall revenue was $1.69 billion, up 12 per cent from $1.64 billion over the same period last year.

The company declared a 24 per cent dividend per share which was unchanged from the prior year. The dividend was 35 per cent franked.

Sonic shares were 12 cents, or 1.08 per cent, higher at $11.27 at 1404.

More:
Sonic in nice position for future growth