WELLINGTON, New Zealand--Medical equipment maker Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd. said its full-year earnings climbed 82% as the pandemic drove an increase in sales of respiratory devices to hospitals.

The company, New Zealand's largest by stock market capitalization, said Thursday that net profit for the year ended March 31 was a record 524 million New Zealand dollars ($382 million). Revenue rose 56% from the previous year to NZ$1.97 billion.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare said it couldn't provide an earnings forecast for its new financial year because of uncertainties stemming from the pandemic. But it said the global rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations is likely to reduce hospitalizations requiring respiratory support, which would reduce revenue.

The median forecast of analysts surveyed by S&P Capital IQ was for full-year net profit of NZ$546 million.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare said it was paying a profit-sharing bonus to employees of NZ$29 million to recognize their contributions during the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The company also has allocated NZ$20 million to establish a charitable foundation that would support health research and programs to improve access to healthcare.

Write to Stephen Wright at stephen.wright@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-26-21 1713ET