By Natascha Divac Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

FRANKFURT -(Dow Jones)- Sportswear and equipment maker Adidas AG (ADS.XE) Wednesday confirmed its 2009 outlook after reporting an in-line 30% fall in third-quarter net profit, as trading conditions remained difficult.

The German company, which produces the Adidas and Reebok sports brands and TaylorMade golf equipment, said it still expects a low- to mid-single-digit percentage drop in currency-neutral sales, as well as a decline in net profit attributable to shareholders and earnings per share.

"Consumer and retailer sentiment still hovers between fear and optimism," Chief Executive Herbert Hainer said. "However ... I am cautiously optimistic."

Third-quarter net profit fell to EUR213 million from EUR302 million in the same period a year ago. Analyst were expecting EUR211 million.

Adidas, which competes with Nike Inc. (NKE) and Germany's Puma AG Rudolph Dassler Sport (PUM.XE), said that third-quarter sales fell to EUR2.89 billion from EUR3.08 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected EUR2.93 billion.

Shares closed Tuesday at EUR32.64.

Company Web site: www.adidas-group.com

-By Natascha Divac, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 69 29725 500; natascha.divac@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-04-09 0219ET