New York

NIKE Inc, the world's largest sporting-goods maker, has posted a third-quarter profit that topped analysts' estimates, helped by demand for athletic footwear in North America.

Net income for the quarter ended Feb 28 rose 16 per cent to US$791 million, or 89 cents a share, from US$682 million, or 75 cents, a year earlier, the Beaverton, Oregon-based company said on Thursday in a statement. The average of 27 analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg was 84 cents.