Oct 23 (Reuters) - Sweden's Assa Abloy, the

world's biggest lockmaker, reported on Wednesday a

bigger-than-expected third quarter operating profit helped by

cost cuts and savings resulting from acquisitions.

The Swedish group's operating profit, excluding items

affecting comparability, grew to 6.26 billion Swedish crowns

($593.7 million) from 5.78 billion in the same period a year

ago. Analysts polled by LSEG had on average expected a profit of

6.14 billion crowns for the quarter.

Assa Abloy shares were up 1.15% at 0705 GMT.

The company, a rival to U.S.-based Allegion ( ALLE ) and

Stanley Black & Decker ( SWK ), said it acquired seven companies

with combined annual sales of about 4 billion crowns during the

quarter.

In a statement, CEO Nico Delvaux cited growth in Central

Europe and the Nordic region, but said Asia Pacific was affected

by a worsening Chinese real estate market.

($1 = 10.5448 Swedish crowns)