Chemicals maker BASF SE said Wednesday that third quarter sales and earnings fell on the year but improved compared with the previous quarter, suggesting demand is recovering gradually, AP reported. A preliminary earnings statement from the Ludwigshafen-based company said sales for the July-September quarter were ¤12.8 billion ($18.95 billion) _ down 19 percent from a year earlier but 2.4 percent higher than in the second quarter. Third quarter earnings before interest and taxes, before special items, came in at ¤1.25 billion, BASF said. That figure was 20 percent lower than a year earlier, but 9.5 percent higher than in this year's second quarter. BASF did not provide net earnings figures. Its full third quarter report is due on Oct. 29.