Audio streaming giant Spotify posted third-quarter subscriber gains to end September with 281 million paying premium subscribers, up from 276 million as of the end of the second quarter in June. Monthly active users (MAUs) grew to 713 million from 696 million. Management had previously forecast 281 million premium subs and 710 million MAUs.

The firm reported an operating profit of €582 million, up 28 percent from the year-ago period, on higher revenue and a 2 percent drop in operating expenses. Revenue of €4.27 billion grew 7 percent, or 12 percent assuming constant currencies, reflecting subscriber gains. But ad-supported revenue declined 6 percent, or flat when assuming constant currencies. The firm also highlighted that “unfavorable currency movements slowed total revenue year-ov

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