NS Group Inc., the parent of Newport Steel Corp. in Wilder, reported a third-quarter loss on lower sales, stemming from a decline in natural gas drilling activity.

        For the three months ended Sept. 30, NS Group reported a loss of $441,000, or 2 cents a share, compared with net income of $8.9 million, or 41 cents a share, a year ago.

        Revenues slipped 23 percent to $78.9 million from $102.7 million a year ago. The rig count, a proxy for drilling activity, declined by 15 percent or 193 rigs from mid-July to Oct. 19, NS Group said.

        CEO Rene Robichaud said that while the company remains optimistic about the outlook next year and further ahead, it expects a loss in the current quarter of about 30 cents a share.

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