World Wrestling 3Q Profit Up On Overseas Gains

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. on Thursday said its third-quarter profit rose 69 percent, boosted by higher live event revenue, especially from overseas.

The media and entertainment company also said it expects profit growth between 15 percent and 20 percent through 2012, and share prices rose.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, net income jumped to $8.9 million, or 12 cents per share, from $5.3 million, or 7 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue rose to $111.3 million, from $108.8 million last year.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, on average, expected profit of 10 cents per share on revenue of $105.3 million.

WWE said revenue from outside North America increased 17 percent, with an 84 percent jump from Asia Pacific to $12.5 million, and an 82 percent gain in Latin America, to $3.1 million. In North America, revenue slipped 2 percent to $81.3 million.

Live and televised entertainment, the company's biggest segment, saw a 13 percent revenue increase to $77.9 million. Live event revenue rose 34 percent, reflecting higher attendance and more international events.