air liquide said friday that thirdquarter revenue topped expectations supported by momentum in the electronics industry and continued recovery of its industrial merchant business group revenue came to 583 billion euros 678 billion in the three months to the end of september around 17 higher than eur498 billion the previous year the industrialgases company said the result is slightly ahead of expectations of eur578 billion according to analysts estimates provided by the company revenue rose 71 on a comparable basis the parisbased company said sales in its gas and services activities which represents a large majority of the business rose to eur559 billion in the quarter from eur478 billion last year air liquide said electronics sales increased 66 in what the company called a thriving market with its industrial merchant business rising 75 revenue in its healthcare division rose 145 through its involvement in providing medical oxygen during the pandemic the company added air liquide said it continued to improve its operating margin with efficiencies of eur314 million in the first nine months in line with its annual target of more than eur400 million it said it is confident in further increasing its operating margin to deliver recurring net profit growth at constant exchange rates in 2021