Randstad, the world's biggest staffing company, on Tuesday reported better-than-expected third-quarter core earnings, despite a soft employment market.

Underlying earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) fell 17% year-on-year to 273 million euros ($291.48 million), beating the 258 million expected by analysts in a company-provided poll.

($1 = 0.9366 euros)

(Reporting by Olivier Sorgho; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)