stockholmswedish fashion retailer hennes  mauritz ab reported results for its fiscal third quarter on thursday heres what we watched sales the company confirmed a prereleased preliminary thirdquarter sales rise of 9 on the year to 5559 billion swedish kronor 631 billion in local currencies net sales increased by 14 on year hms third quarter ended on august 31 net profit the company posted a net profit of sek469 billion compared with sek182 billion a year earlier amid wellreceived autumn collections with more fullprice sales lower markdowns and cost control analysts polled by factset had expected a profit of sek40 billion current trading sales in september 2021 were slightly higher than in the corresponding month the previous year in local currencies hm said currently around 50 stores are temporarily closed the cost of markdowns in relation to sales is expected to increase slightly in the fourth quarter compared with the corresponding quarter the previous year it said supply chain demand in the quarter wasnt able to be fully met because of disruption and delays in product flow the company said despite substantially higher shipping and raw materials prices in the third quarter the market situationas regards external factors that influence purchasing costswas slightly positive overall when compared with the same purchasing period the previous year hm added increased prices for shipping and raw materials were offset by a more advantageous us dollar exchange rate however as the positive us dollar effect subsides and the high shipping and raw materials prices remain the overall market situation for purchasing costs in the fourth quarter will gradually become less positive hm said dividend hm said it is reinstating a dividend payment proposing that a cash dividend of sek650 per share be paid in november 2021 a dividend proposal made in january 2020 was withdrawn in march 2020 due to the pandemic