Baidu Inc, a leading Chinese search engine, said its un-audited net income in the third quarter of 2009 rose to RMB 492.9 million, up 41.7% compared with the corresponding period of 2008, sources reported.

According to the quarterly financial report, Baidu's operating profit rose to RMB 521.4 million in the third quarter, representing a robust year-on-year increase of 41.6%.

Total revenues in the third quarter jumped 39.1% from a year earlier to RMB1.28 billion. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were RMB 14.14. Revenues from the Online Marketing Professional Edition, also known as Phoenix Nest, contributed more than 20% of total revenues during the period from July to September. As of the end of last month, 70% of Baidu customers were using Phoenix Nest.

Costs and expenses related to the firm's Japan operations were RMB 40.6 million in the same period.

Baidu forecast its total revenues for the fourth quarter to be in the range between RMB 1.19 trillion and RMB 1.23 trillion, representing 32% to 36% year-on-year growth.