Thai PTT Aromatics returns to net profit in Q3

BANGKOK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Thailand's PTT Aromatics and Refining PTTAR.BK reported a net profit in the third quarter, turning round from a net loss a year earlier, due to higher petrochemical income and an absence of inventory losses.

PTTAR, the country's largest integrated aromatics refinery, posted a July-September net profit of 1.71 billion baht ($51.37 million), or 0.58 baht per share, versus a 3.4 billion baht loss in the same period last year.

Profit was down from 4.21 billion baht in the previous quarter due to weaker refining margins.

Seven analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a net profit of 1.8 billion baht for the quarter.

PTTAR, nearly half-owned by energy giant PTT PCL PTT.BK, has refining capacity of 280,000 barrels per day and annual capacity to produce 2.26 million tonnes of aromatics products. ($1=33.29 Baht) (Reporting by Khettiya Jittapong; Editing by Alan Raybould)