** Shares of Cheerios maker General Mills GIS.N down ~1% at $38.42

** Co reaffirms annual sales and profit forecast, after slashing it last month as pressure on consumer spending and stiff competition muted demand for its pantry staples and snacks

** Maintains forecasts of annual adjusted profit declining 16% to 20% and organic sales to fall 1.5% to 2%

** Posts Q3 adjusted EPS of 64 cents vs. estimate of 73 cents - data compiled by LSEG

** Reports Q3 sales of $4.44 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $4.42 billion

** As of last close, stock down 18% YTD