FRANKFURT, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Douglas (DOHG.DE) swung to a smaller-than-expected pretax loss of 0.9 million euros ($1.3 million) in the third quarter, the German fragrance-to-fashion retailer said on Tuesday 11 August, confirming its full-year outlook.

Photo: dpa

Douglas said it still aims for fiscal year 2008/09 operating earnings before taxes of 120-130 million euros before one-off effects of up to 30 million euros and expects sales to grow 2 percent.

"In view of the current economic and financial crisis, we are quite satisfied with the overall current developments," said Chief Executive Henning Kreke.

Douglas' third-quarter pretax loss was better than the average estimate in a Reuters poll of analysts, which saw a loss of 2.4 million euros. The company posted a pretax profit of 0.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Sales rose 4.9 percent to 700.7 million euros, beating estimates, mainly thanks to strong sales in its books, jewellery and confectionery divisions.

Douglas shares were indicated 0.1 percent higher, according to data from brokers ahead of market opening at 0700 GMT.

Douglas shares trade at about 15 times 12-month forecast earnings, at a slight discount to glasses and contact lens retailer Fielmann (FIEG.DE), which trades at a multiple of 16.6, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine.

StarMine weights analyst estimates according to their track record. (Reporting by Eva Kuehnen)