Nov 6 (Reuters) - Manulife Financial ( MFC ) posted a

rise in third-quarter profit on Wednesday, as the Canadian

insurer benefited from a robust performance in its Asia

business.

The company's core earnings increased to C$1.83 billion

($1.31 billion), or C$1.00 per share, in the three months ended

Sept. 30, from C$1.74 billion, or 92 Canadian cents per share, a

year ago.

($1 = 1.3939 Canadian dollars)