FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has reported a net loss of $55 million, or 94 cents per share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30. Net sales for the period were a record $794 million, an increase of $26 million or 3.4 percent from the prior year.

The company said these increased revenues were driven by pricing and improved mix partially offset by decreased tire unit volumes in the United States. The company expanded market share in Canada and Mexico during the period.

Cooper’s results were pressured by unprecedented raw material cost increases, higher utility costs and production curtailments due to raw material shortages caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region.

The company’s quarterly earnings were also negatively impacted by an accounting rule that prohibits recognition of potential future tax benefits of certain losses. This prohibition does not affect the company’s ability to use those losses against future profits of the company.

Through the first nine months of 2008, Cooper generated a record $2.2 billion in net sales. Net losses were $76 million during the same period, compared with net income of $53 million from continuing operations in 2007.