Shares of UTi Worldwide Inc. jumped 12 percent Thursday after the Long Beach logistics company reported higher-than-expected third quarter revenue. Its profit was 52 percent lower than a year earlier but still in line with analysts’ expectations.

UTi reported net income $18 million (18 cents per share), compared with $37.9 million (38 cents) a year ago. Revenues fell 20 percent to $967 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report per-share net income of 18 cents on revenue of more than $888 million.

UTi’s operations include air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and contract logistics services. The company has been hurt as global shipping demand plunged amid the economic downturn. The company said it is still on track to cut operating expenses by $50 million this year, but profitability has suffered during the recession as business dropped and carriers raised shipping rates.

“Volumes improved throughout the third quarter, particularly in airfreight,” Chief Executive Eric Kirchner said in a statement. “Our sales focus has helped us outpace the market, which we have not accomplished in more than a year.”

Shares closed up $1.60, or 12 percent, to $14.85 on the Nasdaq.