EARNINGS NEWS

Guidant Corp (GDT: chart), medical device company, expects to report Q4 earnings of 17 cents to 23 cents a share on revenue of $790 million to $820 million. The company also expects 2006 earnings of $1.48 to $1.58 a share or $1.65 to $1.75 a share on an adjusted basis, on revenue of $3.8 billion to $4 billion. Guidant announced that domestic implantable defibrillator implant rate, an indicator of the company''s progress in regaining market share, averaged 80% of the implant rate experienced in March through May 2005. The implant rate declined to 70% in October and has increased somewhat since then.

Tommy Hilfiger Corp, (TOM: chart), apparel retailer, posted Q2 net earnings of 59 cents a share, down 8.8% from 65 cents a share in the year-earlier period on 6.1% revenue decline. With the filing of its Form 10-Q for Q2, the company announced that it is now current with its Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements.