Steel Dynamics Inc's quarterly fell short of Wall Street estimates for the third successive time on lower flat rolled volumes and pricing, but the fifth-largest U.S. steelmaker said it expects 2011 to be favorable.

We anticipate substantially improved first quarter for all our segments compared to fourth quarter results, the company said.

Global production rose 15 percent in 2010 spurred by Asia and other developing countries, while the output in Western economies lagged behind 2008 levels as growth remained fragile.

For the October-November quarter, the company posted net profit of $8 million, or 4 cents per share, down from $26.7 million, or 12 cents per share, last year.

Excluding items, the company earned 7 cents a share.

Revenue rose 30 percent to $1.52 billion.

Analysts on average expected earnings of 8 cents a share, on revenue of $1.59 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Steel Dynamics shares closed at $17.72 on Friday on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Vaishnavi Bala in Bangalore; Editing by Anne Pallivathuckal)