BUZZ-Amer Sports falls; company forecasts annual revenue at higher end of previous expectations

** Shares of Amer Sports AS.N down as much as 9.3% at $28.03

** Company sees full-year 2024 revenue growth to be at the high end of the previous expected range of 16% to 17%, nearly in line with analysts' estimates of 17% growth, according to data compiled by LSEG

** "While Amer Sports exceeded expectations and strengthened its balance sheet in Q4, investors zeroed in on the challenges posed by unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations - a turbulence likely to persist throughout the year" - Emarketer analyst Zak Stambor

** AS closed at $30.89 on Friday, after hitting a record high of $31.32 on Jan. 6

** "Company's Arc'teryx and Salomon brands cater to higher-income consumers who drove retail sales growth during holiday season and will continue doing so this year" - Stambor

** Company is set to report Q4 results on Feb. 25

** The Wilson tennis rackets maker's stock more than doubled in 2024 after it returned to public markets in a Jan IPO priced at $13

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru)

((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com;))