Finland's Kone reported a bigger-than-expected rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, saying demand for new elevators and escalators continued to grow in China.

Kone's quarterly underlying operating profit rose 4% to 381 million euros ($461 million) versus 371 million expected by analysts, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. 

($1 = 0.8262 euros)

(Reporting by Tarmo Virki in Tallinn; editing by Jason Neely) ((tarmo.virki@thomsonreuters.com; +372 564 4562))