FRANKFURT (AP) -- German car and truck maker Daimler AG says third quarter operating profits and sales were lower than a year ago but better than the company had previously anticipated.
Monday's statement from the Stuttgart-based company says group operating profit amounted to euro470 million ($700 million), almost 38 percent down from euro648 million in the third quarter of 2008.
Group revenue for the quarter amounted to euro19.3 billion, down from from euro23.7 billion in the year ago quarter, an 18 percent decrease.
The maker of Mercedes-Benz cars also said it anticipates a positive free cash flow in the industrial business in full-year 2009. It said its figures surpass "analysts' consensus estimates of which the group is currently aware."
Daimler didn't give net profit. It reports detailed earnings Oct. 27.