Shares of Baton Rouge, La.-based Amedisys jumped $5.95, or 16.3 percent, to $42.61 in morning trade, having hit a new high of $44.50 earlier in the session.

The company now expects full-year earnings, excluding one-time items, to range between $2.25 and $2.30 per share on sales of $675 million to $690 million, up from prior estimates of $2.10 to $2.20 per share on revenue of $650 million to $675 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, estimate 2007 earnings per share of $2.21 on revenue of $685.5 million.

Amedisys also forecast 2008 earnings in the range of $2.50 to $2.60 per share, on revenue between $800 million and $825 million. Analysts have predicted 2008 profit of $2.31 per share on revenue of $811.1 million.

The company said its guidance excludes the effects of any potential acquisitions.

In a note to clients, CIBC World Markets Corp. analyst Michael Wiederhorn said the company's strong third-quarter results were overshadowed by the "impressive" 2008 guidance.

Wiederhorn said the 2008 guidance takes into account the new Medicare payment system that goes into effect Jan. 1, which should have a smaller negative impact on the company than initially believed.