ZURICH_Swiss-based staffing company Adecco SA reported a third-quarter net profit of ⁈lion ($133 million) Thursday, a drop of 46 percent compared to its ⁈llion profit in the same quarter last year.

Analysts had forecast more modest results after the company reported a net loss of ⁈llion in the second quarter.

"Market conditions have improved during the third quarter, especially in general staffing, and we have seen a gradual improvement of the revenue trend for the Adecco Group," said Chief Executive Patrick De Maeseneire.

Earnings per share during the July-September period fell to ⁈rom ⁈n 2008.

Group revenues were down 27 percent to ⁈llion compared to third-quarter revenues last year.

De Maeseneire said Adecco is working to further reduce its costs and expects to book restructuring charges of about ⁈lion in the final quarter of the year.

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