HELSINKI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Finland's Nokian Tyres on Tuesday posted an operating profit for the third quarter below analysts' expectations, citing demanding car and tyre markets.

The Finnish tyre maker said operating profit fell to 8.3 million euros ($8.9 million) from 40.7 million in the year-ago quarter, missing the average of 26.6 million expected by 10 analysts in a poll provided by the company.

The tyre maker last week reported preliminary segment figures for the quarter and lowered its full-year outlook due to weaker demand, sending its shares down.

($1 = 0.9384 euros) (Reporting by Anne Kauranen, editing by Anna Ringstrom)