** Shalby SHAY.NS jumps 4.6% to 195.4 rupees, on track to log biggest intraday pct gain in more than four months

** Credit rating agency ICRA reaffirms its long-term ratings on the hospital chain operator to A+ and restated outlook to "stable"

** ICRA counts Shalby's strong brand equity across cities, its expansion in new territories and leadership position in the arthroplasty specialty segments as some of its key positives

** ICRA positively factors in increase in footfall of international patients with co's acquisition of Sanar Hospitals, which should start contributing to profits from FY26

** Adds co's ratings also aided by strong operational metrics and positive long-term demand outlook for the Indian healthcare sector

** SHAY down ~19% YTD

(Reporting by Manvi Pant in Bengaluru)

((Manvi.Pant@thomsonreuters.com; +918447554364;))