<div id="subtitle">Marvel Entertainment's 3rd-quarter profit falls without major film releases</div><div><p>Marvel Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit fell 60 percent as it took in less money than last year from licensing its comic book characters for movies.</p><p>In 2008, the company's third-quarter profits got a boost from the release of "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk" as well as merchandise sales related to "Spider-Man."</p><p>Marvel Studios had no major releases in the most recent quarter.</p><p>The company posted earnings of $20.4 million, or 26 cents per share, down from $50.6 million, or 64 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.</p><p>Revenue fell 42 percent to $105.7 million.</p><p>On average, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected profit of 24 cents per share on revenue of $92.5 million.</p><p>Shares fell 18 cents to $49.83 in midday trading.</p><p>The Walt Disney Co. agreed to acquire Marvel this summer in a cash and stock deal worth $4 billion. The sale is expected to close before the end of the year.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=62571923&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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