SHANGHAI, May 15 (Reuters) - China's Ant Group posted

net profit of 5.4 billion yuan ($749 million) for the three

months to December 31, down 31.4% from a year earlier, Reuters

calculations based on Alibaba Group Holdings' earnings

released on Thursday showed.

The e-commerce giant reports profit from Ant one quarter in

arrears.

Chinese media earlier this month reported that the fintech

group plans to list its overseas arm, Ant International, on the

Hong Kong stock exchange, citing unnamed sources.

Both groups were co-founded by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.

Alibaba ( BABA ) holds a 33% stake in Ant.

($1 = 7.2094 Chinese yuan renminbi)