Sara Lee reports rising costs

Sara Lee Corp. posted an 82 percent increase Tuesday in third-quarter earnings on higher sales prices and the weak dollar, but still-soaring commodity prices limited the gains and disappointed Wall Street.

The maker of Jimmy Dean sausages, Hillshire Farm deli meats and Sara Lee breads reported a 10 percent increase in revenue, led by strong international sales, but saw profits pressured by the high costs that have plagued food manufacturers.

The results, including net earnings of $211 million, fell short of analyst estimates and Sara Lee said fiscal 2008 earnings and revenues also would come in below expectations.

Shares in the Downers Grove-based company fell 90 cents, or 6.1 percent, to $13.86 -- down about 15 percent since the beginning of the year.

"A variety of external market pressures, including volatile commodity prices, continue to affect the industry," chairman and CEO Brenda Barnes said.