Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), Radnor, PA, reported sales for the third quarter ended Dec. 31 of $1.3 billion, a decrease of 2.7 percent from the previous year. Organic sales were down 4 percent. Profit for the quarter decreased 20.7 percent to $73.9 million.

In the distribution segment, organic sales fell 5 percent year-over-year, with gas and rent down 1 percent and hardgoods down 10 percent.

For the first nine months of the fiscal year, sales were $4 billion, a 0.4 percent increase from the previous year. Profit for the period decreased 7.2 percent to $260.1 million.

As previously announced, Air Liquide has agreed to acquire Airgas Inc.