It also used proceeds from the divestiture of units to buy back stock and boost earnings a share. Investors are seeking detail on whether chief executive Ian Read will break the company into two or three entities, keep them as separate in-house units or sell part of the group. "There could be strategic interest in one or more of these businesses," Mark Schoenebaum, an analyst at International Strategy & Investment Group, said earlier this month. "In a strategic acquirer's hands, these businesses could be worth much more." Pfizer narrowed its projection of full-year earnings a share, excluding certain items, to between $2.15 and $2.20 from $2.10 to $2.20. Third-quarter net income fell 19 percent to $2.59bn, or 39c a share, from $3.21bn, or 43c. Pfizer rose less than 1 percent to $30.74 on Monday in New York trading. The company has been among the hardest hit by drugs losing patent protection. Lipitor began facing competition from generic copycats in 2011.