Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch owner of the Stop & Shop and Giant supermarkets in the United States, reported a 4.4 fall in third quarter earnings Thursday, due to higher taxes, even as sales and operating profits grew. The company reported net profit of (EURO)233 million ($315 million), down from (EURO)244 million. Ahold was no longer able to claim tax benefits from previous losses and paid (EURO)49 million in taxes this quarter, up from just (EURO)1 million in the same period a year ago. Ahold said operating profit was up 7.5 percent to (EURO)285 million and sales rose 11 percent to (EURO)6.69 billion, boosted by acquisitions and a relatively strong dollar. Chief Executive John Rishton said business conditions remain tough but his company 'delivered another quarter of solid results,' winning market share. Sales at U.S. stores owned in both quarters rose 1 percent -- not great, but better than big competitors like Wal-Mart, whose same-store sales have fallen amid price wars. Ahold's U.S. margins dipped to 3.7 percent of sales from 4.6 percent. In the Netherlands, where Ahold operates the dominant Albert Heijn chain, same store sales rose 4.5 percent and margins improved a hair to 7 percent from 6.9 percent. Ahold said it used some of its cash-flow to pay down debt this quarter, and net debt now stands at (EURO)846 million, from (EURO)938 million at July 18. 