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  VF Corp. CEO Eric Wiseman.

Vans, Reef and the rest of VF Corp’s Outdoor Coalition recorded solid results in the third quarter, but VF cut its fourth quarter outlook due to deteriorating market conditions.

The company released third quarter earnings results this morning.

Company results

Revenue grew 6.4 percent to $2.2 billion, below the expected increase of 9 percent.

Net income from continuing operations grew 12 percent to $233.9 million.

Outdoor Coalition

Overall revenues up 12 percent

Operating income up 17 percent

Operating margins by nearly a full percentage point to 20.8 percent

In the fourth quarter, the Outdoor group is expected to log a mid-teen revenue gain and “healthy” increases in operating income and margins.

Vans revenue grew 11 percent

Reef revenue grew double digits

The North Face revenue grew 15 percent.

Other businesses

Jeanswear, sportwear and imagewear divisions posted revenue declines, while contemporary brands posted a 12 percent increase led by 7 For All Mankind and lucy.

Comment on economic conditions

VF CEO Eric Wiseman offered this grim assessment:

“…the month of September – particularly the second half – marked a turning point in market conditions, with a significant deepening of the global financial crisis and worsening economic conditions taking a heavy toll on consumer confidence and spending in markets around the world.”

VF now expects revenue to rise 3 to 4 percent for the fourth quarter.

On the bright side, he did say VF will continue to invest in its brands.

“…We’re planning higher spending in both advertising and product development in the fourth quarter, as we believe this is the right time to invest behind our brands to support their continued long-term growth.”