By Linda Pasquini and Helen Reid (Reuters) -German sportswear maker Puma's third-quarter sales missed expectations on Wednesday, despite a 5% rise driven by running and soccer shoes demand, as negative effects from foreign exchange rates continued to weigh on the business.

German sportswear maker Puma's third-quarter sales missed expectations today, despite a 5% rise driven by running and soccer shoes demand, as negative effects from foreign exchange rates continued to weigh on the business.

Puma reported Q3 sales fell 0.1 percent to 2.31 billion euros. When adjusted for currency effects, sales were 5 percent up. "I'm pleased with the progress on our brand elevation journey," Puma chief executive Arne Freundt said in a statement.

German sportswear maker Puma's third-quarter sales missed expectations on Wednesday due to sluggish demand and as weaker currencies in markets like Mexico, Argentina and Japan weighed on its revenue in euro terms.