Ford's third-quarter results top estimates

Ford Motor  reported third-quarter earnings of $266 million, or 15 cents a share, against a loss of $25 million in the same period…

Ford Motor  reported third-quarter earnings of $266 million, or 15 cents a share, against a loss of $25 million in the same period a year ago.

Excluding non-recurring items, earnings from continuing operations were 28 cents a share. Revenue rose to $39 billion from $36.7 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had been expecting earnings of 14 cents a share and revenue of $31.2 billion.

The automaker raised its 2004 earnings forecast to $2 to $2.05 a share from $1.90 to $2 a share due to the strong performance of its financial services business. The stock closed yesterday up 14 cents at $13.39.