EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY BASED IN KINGSPORT IS HOPING TO BEAT WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR. THE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED EARNINGS PER SHARE ARE EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE THE HIGH END OF ANALYST ESTIMATES OF A DOLLAR 30 CENTS PER SHARE. HIGHER OPERATING EARNINGS ARE BEING BLAMED ON THE RECENT DECLINE IN RAW MATERIAL AND ENERGY COSTS, HIGHER SALES REVENUE AND ONGOING COST REDUCTIONS. EASTMAN WILL ANNOUNCE THIRD QUARTER RESULTS ON OCTOBER 23RD.