Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASM International NV (ASMI) Thursday beat market expectations as it narrowed its net loss in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter and as sales and order intake rose.

ASMI also said it expects the fourth quarter to be "at least in line" with the third-quarter. Still, "visibility beyond the fourth quarter remains limited and therefore we are not in a position to give guidance beyond that period at this stage."

Chief Executive Chuck del Prado said that ASMI's results are improving due to the market upturn, while the firm's restructuring efforts are paying off.

ASMI reported a third-quarter net loss of EUR15.8 million, compared with a net loss of EUR55.7 million in the previous quarter and a net profit of EUR2.4 million a year earlier. Sales came in at EUR180.2 million, from EUR119.5 million in the second quarter of 2009 and EUR190 million a year earlier.

Bookings were up 31% to EUR204.5 million compared with the second-quarter.

Three analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires forecast a net loss of EUR30.5 million and revenue of EUR138 million.

At 1104 GMT, ASMI shares traded up EUR0.98, or 7.4%, at EUR14.28, outperforming a 1.6% rise in the Midcap market. The stock has recovered over the past year from lows of just below EUR5 when the slump in demand due to the financial crisis started to hit the company's business.

- By Maarten van Tartwijk; Dow Jones Newswires; +31 20 571 5201; maarten.vantartwijk@dowjones.com