Aeon likely to post 9 mth net loss -Nikkei

TOKYO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Japan's second-largest retailer Aeon Co Ltd (8267.T) is likely to report a net loss of 10-20 billion yen ($110-$220 million) for the nine months ended in November, hurt by a writedown at its U.S. apparel unit Talbots (TLB.N), the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday.

Aeon may also cut its outlook for the year ending in February, the paper said..

The retailer's earnings have been hit by special losses tied to a writedown at Talbots, which has decided to sell its J. Jill clothing brand.

The Nikkei also said Aeon's operating profit is also likely to have fallen for the nine-month period due to weak sales of clothing items.

Aeon has forecast an annual net profit of 11-15 billion yen, a decline of 66-75 percent from the previous year. It is due to report nine-month earnings on Jan. 7. ($1=90.65 Yen) (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)