Weaker-than-expected Q3 dents Handelsbanken shares

** Shares in Handelsbanken SHBa.ST fall more than 3% after the Swedish lender posted lower-than-expected quarterly results

** The group's net interest income of SEK 10.05 billion ($1.01 billion) was flat quarter-on-quarter and missed the forecast of SEK 10.16 billion by analysts polled by LSEG

** "This is the first time in seven quarters that SHB has printed (slightly) heavier expenses vs consensus," Citigroup notes

** The higher costs contributed to a 2% miss on Q3 profit before tax/pre-provision profit, and a miss on ‘core’ pre-provision profit (NII + fees – expenses) line, it adds

** Shares on track for their worst day since July

($1 = 9.9122 Swedish crowns)