Oct 30 (Reuters) - Industrial products maker Fortive ( FTV )

raised its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, after

steady demand for its automation products and services boosted

third-quarter profit above estimates.

Businesses looking to optimize their industrial operations

are fueling demand for building technology and benefiting

companies such as Fortive ( FTV ) that make products to help increase

efficiency.

The Everett, Washington-based company now expects annual

adjusted earnings per share of $3.84 to $3.87, compared with its

previous forecast of $3.80 to $3.86.

However, Fortive ( FTV ) trimmed its annual sales forecast to

between $6.24 billion and $6.26 billion, from $6.25 billion to

$6.30 billion earlier.

On an adjusted basis, the company reported a third-quarter

profit of 97 cents per share, compared with analysts' average

estimate of 93 cents per share, according to data compiled by

LSEG.

Sales rose nearly 3% from a year earlier to $1.53 billion,

but missed estimates of $1.55 billion.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika

Syamnath)