Pipes, valves and fittings distributor MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC), Houston, TX, reported third-quarter sales of $959 million, up 20.9 percent over the same period a year ago. The company reported a loss of $3 million, compared to a loss of $46 million last year.

U.S. sales in the third quarter were up 29 percent year-over-year to $759 million and Canadian sales were up 10 percent to $77 million. International sales in the third quarter were $123 million, down 8 percent.

For the first nine months, MRC sales were $2.7 billion, an 18.1 percent increase over the prior-year period. The company reported a loss of $3 million, compared to a loss of $83 million last year.