Theater operator’s profit doubles

Regal Entertainment Group Inc., the world’s largest movie-theater operator, said third-quarter profit almost doubled.

Net income increased to $58 million, or 36 cents a share, from $29.3 million, or 19 cents, a year earlier, Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal said. Sales rose 11% to $752.9 million. Wall Street analysts had predicted revenue of $735.6 million, the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

“Harry Potter” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels helped spur a record $4.2 billion in U.S. ticket sales during the summer, according to Media by Numbers. The period runs from the first weekend of May to the first Monday of September. Theaters sold 611 million tickets in the period, a 3.9% gain from a year ago, Media by Numbers said.

Regal shares rose 30 cents to $21.45.