UK's ASOS gains on forecasting annual profit above market expectations

** Shares of British online retailer ASOS ASOS.L up 4.3% at 440p, their biggest intraday gain since Sept 24

** Co now expects adjusted core profit of £180 mln ($242.80 mln) to £200m for the fiscal year ending Aug 2027, above a company-compiled market consensus of £177 mln

** Co said sales in the opening weeks of the current fiscal year had been encouraging, with its active customer base rising about 1% since year-end to 16.5 mln by the end of Oct

** As of last close, ASOS up ~49% YTD

($1 = 0.7413 pounds)