Aug 8 (Reuters) - AMP Ltd AMP.AX , Australia's largest wealth manager, reported a 38% drop in underlying profit in the first half of this year on Thursday, amid strong fund outflows from its wealth unit.
AMP reported a net loss of A$2.29 billion for the period. It also announced a cost reduction program and said it would raise a further A$650 million through a share placement. Underlying profit for the six months to June 30 was A$309 million ($208.95 million), down from A$495 million a year ago. ($1 = 1.4789 Australian dollars)