Cendant Ups Guidance

Cendant(CD Quote), the consumer-services conglomerate, on Wednesday raised its earnings projections for the first quarter and all of 2004.

The company now expects to earn 41 cents a share in the first quarter and between $1.68 and $1.74 for the full year. Prior to the announcement, the Thomson First Call consensus estimate had Cendant earning 38 cents in the quarter and $1.71 for the year.

The travel, lodging and real estate company said it was boosting its earnings projections because of renewed strength in its major businesses. ...