Australia's Bank of Queensland emerges top gainer after HY profit beats consensus

** Shares of Bank of Queensland BOQ jump as much as 7.2% to A$6.15, set for their best day since Oct 12, 2022, if gains hold

** Stock emerges as biggest gainer on the benchmark

** The Brisbane-based lender reports a half-year cash net profit after tax of A$172 mln ($110.36 mln), beating a Visible Alpha consensus of A$162.2 mln, according to Citi, but down 33% on YOY basis

** Group's net interest margin - a key measure for bank profitability - was down to 1.55% for HY, decreasing by 3 bps from 2H FY23

** Co declares an interim dividend of 17 AU cents per share

** Anticipate revenue and margin pressures to moderate in second half of 2024 - BOQ

** "While the result was notionally a beat, it was largely driven by lower bad debts and lower costs," Citi analysts say

** Shares hit highest since April 9

** Stock has fallen ~4.6% this year, as of last close

($1 = 1.5586 Australian dollars)