(Telecompaper) HTC forecast slightly stronger fourth quarter sales, after reporting a continued drop in results for Q3. Revenue for the three months to September fell 11 percent year-on-year and 35 percent from the previous quarter to TWD 41.9 billion, just below HTC's forecast range. The operating profit dropped to TWD 0.2 billion versus a profit of TWD 2.4 billion in Q2, and net profit fell over the same period to TWD 0.6 billion from TWD 2.8 billion. The company's gross margin improved slightly, to 22.9 percent from 22.2 in Q2. For the fourth quarter, HTC forecast revenues of TWD 43-47 billion, a gross margin of 19-21 percent and EPS at TWD 0.07-0.46.