EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY OFFICIALS HAVE A REASON TO SMILE TODAY. THE KINGSPORT BASED FIRM HAS REPORTED AN INCREASE IN SALES AND NET EARNINGS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. EARNINGS WERE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS OR $1.33 PER DILUTED SHARE IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THAT REFLECTS AN 80 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR. EASTMAN’S NUMBERS BEAT OUT WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS WHICH WERE PREDICTED TO BE $1.30 PER SHARE. EASTMAN’S CHAIRMAN AND CEO BRIAN FERGUSON SAID THE COMPANY DELIVERED SOLID EARNINGS DESPITE SIGNIFICANT RAW MATERIAL AND ENERGY COST VOLATILITY, UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS FOR THE GLOCAL ECONOMY, AND DIFFICULTY IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS. AS FAR AS THE FOURTH QUARTER, FERGUSON EXPECTS THE NUMBERS TO BE DOWN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.