UPDATE 2-Hansen Q3 results miss estimates, shares fall

* Q3 EPS $0.60 vs est $0.63 * Q3 rev rises 8 percent to $307.9 mln * Shares down 9 pct after market (Adds details, conference call comments; updates share movement) Nov 5 (Reuters) - Hansen Natural Corp posted higher third-quarter results, but missed market expectations as it spent more to promote its energy drinks in international markets, sending shares down 9 percent. Hansen, which missed earnings estimates for the first time this fiscal year, leads the energy drink market in the United States, but is behind its privately held rival Red Bull in international markets such as Europe and Australia. The company, which has a distribution agreement with Coca-Cola Co under which the beverage giant released the Monster energy drink in many European markets, derives only 15 percent of its overall revenue from international sales. On a conference call with analysts, a company executive said selling expenses in Europe were higher than in the United States, especially in samples and sponsorships. "Small items like point of sale and premiums as a percentage of sales have just been substantially higher in Europe, and UK particularly," the executive said. The company posted third-quarter net income of $56.5 million, or 60 cents a share, compared with $52.4 million, or 54 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 8 percent to $307.9 million. Promotional and other allowances climbed to $47.1 million from $40.2 million last year. Analysts on average are expecting earnings of 63 cents a share, before special items, on revenue of $309.2 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Shares of the California-based Hansen were trading at $33.62 after market hours. They closed at $36.98 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Mihir Dalal in Bangalore; Editing by Pradeep Kurup) Keywords: HANSENNATURAL/ ([e-mail]; within U.S. [phone]; outside U.S. [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved.

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