Saudi Arabian dairy firm Almarai reported a 5.7 per cent rise in third-quarter net profit on Sunday, missing analysts' estimates despite what the company described as "the strong performance of core dairy and juice categories".

The dairy producer made a net profit of 475.6 million riyals for the three months to September 30, up from 450 million riyals in the year earlier period, according to a statement to the Saudi bourse.

Analyst polled by Reuters on average forecast Almarai would make a quarterly profit of 483.3 million riyals ($128.87 million). - Reuters