Puma raises outlook for third time this year

BERLIN (Reuters) - German sportswear firm Puma raised its outlook for 2017 sales and operating earnings for the third time this year on Wednesday as it reported stronger-than-expected sales growth for the third quarter.

In an unscheduled statement, Puma said third-quarter sales rose about 17 percent to 1.122 billion euros ($1.32 billion), compared with an average analyst forecast for 1.091 billion euros, according to Thomson Reuters Smart Estimates.

Puma said it now expected currency-adjusted sales for the full year to rise by 14 to 16 percent, up from a previous 12 to 14 percent, while earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) are expected at 235 to 245 million euros, up from 205 to 215 million.

 

($1 = 0.8501 euros)

(Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Maria Sheahan)