(For further coverage, Eikon users please search ".TRIABS", or news code "ASIATOPCO/")
Sept 21 (Reuters) - Business sentiment at Asian companies rose to its highest level in more than a year in the third quarter, buoyed by signs that China's economy is stabilising and as Brexit concerns receded.
Sentiment was most upbeat among real estate, metals and chemicals companies as well as energy firms and utilities. None of the sectors had a reading below 50, the level which separates optimists from pessimists.
The Thomson Reuters/INSEAD Asian Business Sentiment Index .TRIABS RACSI , representing the six-month outlook at 118 firms, was 68 for the July-September quarter of 2016 versus 67 three months prior.
Concerns over energy prices and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election were cited as the main business risks.
REAL ESTATE: INDEX HIGHEST IN A YEAR AT 75 in Q3 VS 63 IN Q2
Australia's Stockland Corporation Ltd SGP.AX was one of four respondents in the sector, which posted the biggest jump in sentiment for the quarter among all sectors.
Of the firms responding, two were positive about their business outlook. In Australia in particular, historically low borrowing costs have sparked a boom in home-building.
Risks to respondents' business outlooks included an increase in interest rates and a rise in energy prices.
TECH & TELECOM: HIGHEST IN A YEAR AT 70 IN Q3 VS 65 IN Q2
Japan's Canon Inc 7751.T and Taiwan's Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc 2311.TW were among 27 respondents in this sector.
Twelve of the respondents had a positive outlook, while 14 said they were neutral. Twelve also said business volume had risen since the previous quarter's survey.
The fallout from Britain's decision to leave the European Union and the possibility of dramatic change in U.S. policies should Donald Trump win the November presidential election were cited as chief risks.
ENERGY & UTILITIES: INDEX HIGHEST IN TWO YEARS AT 75 IN Q3 VS 68 IN Q2
Four companies, including India's Adani Power Ltd ADAN.NS and Australia's Oil Search Ltd OSH.AX , participated.
The sector's companies generally saw a higher volume of business and hired staff. Two firms had a positive outlook while the other two were neutral, with energy prices cited as the biggest risk.
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS: HIGHEST IN OVER TWO YEARS AT 69 IN Q3 VS 64 IN Q2
Eight companies responded to this quarter's survey, including Australia's Brambles Ltd BXB.AX .
Five had a positive outlook while two were negative and one was neutral.
Half the firms polled said staffing and business volume had risen. Risks cited included a subdued global economy and currency fluctuations.
RETAIL & LEISURE: QUARTER'S STEEPEST DECLINER AT 68 IN Q3 VS 82 IN Q2
Of 14 respondents from the sector, which included Thailand's Minor International PCL MINT.BK , there was only one with a negative outlook.
Seven were neutral about the sector's prospects while six were positive. Staffing and business volume for more than half of the companies were either the same or lower compared with the previous survey.
Top risks included a Trump presidency and China's rising corporate debt.
MOST OTHER SECTORS RISE
Sentiment rose in the Metals and Chemicals sector, to 75 in the third quarter from 64 in the second. The Construction and Engineering sector also rose to 58 from 50, and the Household, Food and Beverage sector to 72 from 67.
Healthcare remained at the same level as last quarter, at 72.
The outlook for financial firms edged down to 62 from 65. While 10 of 24 respondents in the sector said business volume had grown, only four said hiring had risen with the majority saying staffing stayed the same.
The auto sector also declined three points, falling to 60.
Note: Companies surveyed can change from quarter to quarter
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Main story
L3N1BV1HG Highlights by economy
L3N1BU08Q PDF of survey
http://tmsnrt.rs/2cEIMbW Graphic: Business sentiment index
http://tmsnrt.rs/1Qec4uG Graphic: : Biggest perceived risks
http://tmsnrt.rs/1QebWeT Graphic: Outlook by economy
http://tmsnrt.rs/1Uxuw24 Graphic: Outlook by sector
http://tmsnrt.rs/1UxuFT3 Advisory
L3N1BW3C2
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Writing By Krishna Eluri; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)