These companies mostly beat lowered market expectations as consumer spending remained strong, boosted by Chinese shoppers who opted to buy at home than to travel abroad, as a weaker yuan inflated travel costs.

Profits at Chinese companies grew 10% in the July-September period, beating the 2% growth rate analysts had predicted, and ahead of China's slowing economic growth rate. Only companies with a market capitalization of over $1 billion and tracked by at least three analysts are covered in this analysis.

To view a graphic on Asian firms profit in September by country, click https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/12/8860/8774/Asian%20firms%20Sep%20profit%20growth%20by%20Country.jpg

"The sectors that were expected to suffer from the U.S.-China trade conflict — the tech hardware exporters, textiles and sports goods exporters — have largely outperformed consensus expectations," said Manishi Raychaudhuri, head of equity research at BNP Paribas Asia Pacific.

To view a graphic on Asian firms profit in September by sector, click https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/12/8861/8775/Asian%20firms%20Sep%20profit%20growth%20by%20sector.jpg

Raychaudhuri added that earnings growth at Asian companies, excluding Japan, is likely to bounce back in 2020, partly as trade concerns recede.

To view a graphic on profir growth rate for Asian firms in September quarter, click https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/12/8862/8776/Pforit%20growth%20for%20Asian%20firms.jpg

Below is a report card of the third quarter for Asian companies and expectations for next year.

** Online retail giants Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and JD.com Inc posted strong sales as people bought baby products and sports gear. Western luxury and mass-market consumer companies had a good quarter as well.

** Overall, profitability at 1,625 Asian firms fell 5%, versus an expected 6% decline, according to a Reuters analysis of Refinitiv data. Results outperformed estimates for the first time in five quarters.

** Hong Kong-listed firms are not included in this analysis, as most of them announce earnings results on a semi-annual basis.

** Profits at 346 South Korean firms nearly halved, dragged down by lower chip prices and a fluctuation in commodity prices.

** Profit at Samsung Electronics Co Ltd fell 56%. Smaller rival SK Hynix Inc posted its lowest profit in three years. Steelmaker Posco earnings plunged by a third as iron ore prices rose.

** Profits at 201 Indian firms rose 29.5%, led by consumer staples, financial and healthcare firms and helped by a corporate tax cut.

** Profits at 673 Japanese firms which exclude SoftBank Group Corp, fell 1%, in line with estimates, as the yen firmed and demand fell for export items such as cars and machinery.

** The top three Japanese steelmakers and carmakers Suzuki Motor Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp have reduced their annual profit forecasts.

** Analysts expect profits at Asian firms to jump 13% in 2020, versus a 5% estimated increase this year, helped partly by recovering global demand as trade worries ease further.

(Reporting By Patturaja Murugaboopathy and Gaurav Dogra in Bengaluru; Edited by Sayantani Ghosh and Shounak Dasgupta)

By Patturaja Murugaboopathy and Gaurav Dogra