BUZZ — Progressive falls after Q3 profit declines and policy growth slows

* Shares of insurer Progressive fall 9.3% to $202.1 * PGR reports Q3 net income of $2.5 bln, or $4.37 per share, vs $2.62 bln, or $4.45 per share, a year earlier * Company-wide policies-in-force growth slowed to 6% in September from 7% in June * PGR is one of the worst performers on the benchmark S&P 500 index on Wednesday * Eight of 27 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 18 "hold" and one "sell"; median PT is $230 * Including session's move, stock down 11.3% YTD, compared with a 13.3% increase in the S&P 500 index (Reporting by Anand Gopal in Bengaluru) ((AnandGopal.R@thomsonreuters.com)