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E-Mail This Story Printer-Friendly Format Consumer Confidence in U.S.

Rises a Second Month as Gasoline Prices Ease U.S.

Treasuries Fall After Consumer Confidence Index Rises in December Alltel to Exit Fixed-Line Business in $9.1 Billion Transaction With Valor Lilly Raises 2006 Earnings Forecast by 63 Percent (Update3) Dec.

9 (Bloomberg) - Eli Lilly & Co., maker of the top- selling schizophrenia drug Zyprexa, raised its 2006 earnings forecast by 63 percent to reflect expanding sales of its newest products.

Net income next year will increase to $3.10 to $3.20 a share, up from an October forecast of $1.90 to $1.96, Indianapolis-based Lilly said today in a statement before meeting with investors in New York.

Earnings in 2004 were $1.81 billion, or $1.66 a share.

Under Chief Executive Officer Sidney Taurel, Lilly has beaten earnings estimates at least six quarters in a row.

Taurel and executives are briefing investors on his plans to increase sales of Lilly's newest drugs.

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