ABBOTT EXPECTS JUMP IN '06 EARNINGS

Abbott Laboratories recently said earnings will climb to as much as $2.67 a share next year, as the North Chicago-based company markets new products such as the Xact carotid-artery stent. Net income probably will rise to at least $2.61 a share, the company said. That compares with a range of $2.08 to $2.10 a share this year.

Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0512160120dec16,1,6094781,print.story)