<div id="subtitle">Hansen Natural 3Q profit rises on Monster Energy drink sales, misses forecasts; shares fall</div><div><p>Hansen Natural Corp., which makes sodas and energy drinks, said Thursday its third-quarter profit rose 8 percent on continued strength of its Monster Energy drinks and a growing share of the energy drink market at gas stations and convenience stores.</p><p>But the results fell short of Wall Street's expectations and that sent Hansen shares plunging more than 10 percent in trading after hours.</p><p>The company earned $56.5 million, or 60 cents per share, compared with $52.4 million, or 54 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2008.</p><p>Revenue rose to $307.9 million from $285 million a year earlier.</p><p>Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a profit of 63 cents per share on $309.2 million in sales.</p><p>The shares closed the regular session up 30 cents, or less than 1 percent, at $36.98.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=62767537&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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