Gloves and condom company Ansell rallied the most in 2012 after the company predicted another year of profit gains and said it remains on the hunt for more acquisitions.

Ansell shares added as much as 51 cents, or 3.7 per cent, to $14.31, before easing back. The stock is down about 2 per cent in 2012, lagging the gain of about 6 per cent in the wider market.

Ansell reported a 6 per cent rise in net profit to $130 million for the year to June 30, compared with $122.7 million in the previous financial year.

Sales were flat at $1.2 billion and in line with market expectations.

Ansell said it expected its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to grow in the low double digits in 2012/13, with earnings per share to also show growth in the mid-single to low double-digit range.