Sales increased 55 percent compared to the third quarter of 2008, Teradyne (North Reading, Mass.) said. Net income, which equates to 4 cents per share, compares to a net loss of $66.8 million for the third quarter of 2008, the company said.

Sales exceeded the company's own revised guidance, issued Oct. 1, and analysts' estimates. Consensus analyst expectations had called for Teradyne's third-quarter profit to be $255 million, according to Yahoo Finance. The company's non-GAAP earnings per share of 14 cents also exceeded analysts' predictions.

Teradyne said it expects fourth-quarter revenue of between $255 million and $270 million. Analysts had predicted fourth-quarter revenue of about $252 million.