BUPA, the British health insurance company which is examining the Irish market, has reported that a higher pre-tax surplus soared last year thanks to healthier share and bond markets. Britain's leading health insurer reported a surplus of £99.2 million sterling, compared with £43.9 million in 1994, after a turnaround on its investment portfolio from losses of £41 million to a profit of £65.1 million. The operating surplus on BUPA's trading activities also increased by 19 per cent to £48.9 million from £41.1 million.