UST 3rd-quarter profit rises

CHICAGO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - UST Inc (UST.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Thursday posted higher quarterly profit, helped by increased sales of smokeless tobacco and strength in its wine business.

The maker of Skoal and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco said profit was $133.6 million, or 84 cents hare, compared with $118.1 million, or 73 cents a share, a year earlier.

UST is facing increasing competition, with Altria Group Inc's (MO.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Philip Morris USA unit launching a moist smokeless tobacco under the Marlboro brand. Meanwhile, both Philip Morris and Reynolds American Inc (RAI.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are test-marketing a spitless smokeless tobacco product called snus.