NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bermuda-based Tyco Electronics Ltd, a maker of electronic connectors, wireless systems and undersea fibre optic networks, reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit yesterday but warned that weak European auto markets would hurt sales in the current quarter.

For the fiscal fourth quarter ended September 26, income from continuing operations was 69 cents a share excluding one-time items. Analysts' average forecast was 65 cents, according to Reuters Estimates.

The company, spun off last year from Tyco International Ltd , had forecast 65 cents to 67 cents a share.

Net earnings were $202 million, or 43 cents per share, down from $256 million, or 51 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose six percent to $3.71 billion, ahead of an average estimate of $3.67 billion.

The company said it expects first-quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 24 cents to 28 cents a share, including about 10 cents in losses from foreign currency hedging.

It said first-quarter sales could drop by as much as 19 percent as its key markets have shown a sharp decrease since late September, with particular weakness in the European auto sector.

Tyco Electronics' first-quarter outlook was "meaningfully below consensus" of 54 cents per share, Citi analyst Jim Suva said in a research note. He added that lower commodity prices would help the company, but not enough to offset slowing sales.