Health Stocks in Motion

Updated from 3:37 p.m.

Shares of Digene(DIGE Quote) were among the best-performing health-related stocks Wednesday, rising 22.6% after the company posted third-quarter earnings that easily surpassed Wall Street expectations.

Excluding items, the maker of diagnostic testing products posted earnings of $1.7 million, or 8 cents a share, on sales of $29.7 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 4 cents a share on sales of $29 million. A year ago the company posted pro forma earnings of $1.6 million, or 8 cents a share, on sales of $23.6 million. Third-quarter results were driven by strong human papillomavirus test sales, which jumped 15% sequentially from the second quarter. Looking ahead, Digene forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 2 cents to 5 cents a share on sales of $32 million. Analysts are expecting earnings of 5 cents a share on sales of $32.2 million. Shares traded up $4.30 to $23.29. ...