FRANKFURT, May 11 (Reuters) - The number of kidney

dialysis sessions provided by Fresenius Medical Care

in its top market, the United States, could rise by as much as

2% by the end of the year, its CEO said, as the impact of the

pandemic on patients fades.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest kidney

dialysis company, and the fallout from the pandemic - which led

to an increase in deaths among patients - has weighed heavily on

its shares.

KEY QUOTE

"This year, I'm pleased to say we anticipate U.S. treatment

volumes to rebound from a subdued pandemic era by 0.5 to 2

percent by the end of 2024, keeping us on track to a return to

pre-pandemic levels of 2 to 3 percent by the end of 2025," CEO

Helen Giza said.

Her remarks were posted on the company's website late on

Friday as part of a speech prepared for the May 16 annual

shareholder meeting.

CONTEXT

Fresenius Medical earlier this year said it anticipated a

return to treatment volume growth in the U.S. over the course of

2024, as it slowly recovers from COVID-related deaths among its

patients, many of whom suffer from a range of cardiovascular

conditions.

On Tuesday, it beat first-quarter operating earnings

expectations amid higher pricing and cost-cutting efforts,

confirming its profit outlook for 2024.