Comcast, the leading US cable operator, on Wednesday reported third quarter profit jumping 38 per cent, buoyed by a rise in new digital video, phone and broadband customers, in spite of concerns that financial markets turmoil would take its toll on consumer spending.

Quarterly net profit rose to $771m, or 26 cents per share, up from $560m, or 18 cents per share a year earlier. Excluding an income tax adjustment, Comcast’s profit per share of 24 cents beat Wall Street estimates of 22 cents per share, according to Reuters.