Bearings maker SKF's profit slightly ahead of expectation, sees very volatile markets  

STOCKHOLM, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Industrial bearings maker SKF SKFb.ST, a bellwether of the global manufacturing sector, reported on Wednesday a slightly bigger rise than expected in third-quarter profit and said its markets remained highly volatile.

• The Swedish group's customers make a wide range of products, from industrial tools and wind turbines to vehicles

• SKF is spinning off its business that targets the automotive sector, planning to list Vertevo on the Stockholm bourse on December 1

• Adjusted operating profit rose to 2.85 billion crowns ($288 million) from a year-earlier 2.55 billion against a mean forecast of 2.84 billion in an LSEG poll of analysts, on organic sales growth of 4.3%

• SKF in a statement predicted continuing operations' organic sales would grow somewhat in the fourth quarter

• It said it sees a similar market environment in the fourth quarter as in the third, adding that market volatility remains high, which amplifies overall uncertainty

• The rival to Germany's Schaeffler said it is bringing forward its 2 billion crown annual savings target by six months, to mid-2027