KCI Konecranes's gradual improvement through the first half appears to have waned in its latest results for the September quarter.

"In the late (northern) summer there seems to have been a shift in market sentiment to the worse again," said KCI Konekranes Group president Stig Gustavson.

During the third quarter, KCI logged EUR49.2 million (USD49.153 million) in sales of standard lifting equipment, a 19.5 percent decline compared to last year's third quarter. Sales of special cranes fell 10.1 percent.

Maintenance services and internal sales were up but income from operations was down 44 percent to EUR8 million (USD7.99 million). Net income dropped 43.8 percent to EUR4.7 million (USD4.69 million).

According to the report, the US and German markets deteriorated, but orders received grew, indicating an increase in market share. Positive developments were noted in China, the United Kingdom and the Benelux.

"The business environment is not expected to change," the interim report, said and "no fast improvement" was expected for standard lifting equipment sales.