Nov 6 (Reuters) - Mortgage insurer PMI Group Inc posted a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss helped by lower expenses, gains from credit default swap and a tax benefit. For the latest third quarter, net loss was $93.2 million, or $1.13 a share, compared with a loss of $229.4 million, or $2.81 a share, a year ago.
Loss from continuing operations was $1.06 per share.
Analysts on average were looking for a loss of $1.36 per share, excluding special items, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Total revenue rose marginally to $226.9 million from $225.5 million last year, while total losses and expenses fell 16 percent to $384.8 million.
Net premiums earned were down 4 percent for the quarter, totaling $176.6 million.
The company said PMI Europe recorded a net income from continuing operations of $27.4 million, primarily due to a tax benefit and net gains from credit default transactions.
Shares of the Walnut Creek, California-based company closed at $2.23 Thursday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Abhinav Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier) Keywords: PMI/ (abhinav.sharma@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S +1 646 223 8780; Outside U.S +91 080 4135 5800; Reuters messaging: abhinav.sharma.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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