NOVARTIS REPORTS RISE IN 3Q PROFIT

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG on Tuesday reported a 14 percent increase in third-quarter earnings on strong sales growth and lower marketing expenses. Net profit came to US$1.67 billion (euro1.39 billion), up from US$1.47 billion in the year-earlier period. Sales rose 19 percent to US$8.42 billion (euro7 billion). Novartis said profits increased in part because productivity improved in marketing and administration.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_Earns_Switzerland_Novartis.html)