(by Roy Deng)
Bank of America said its profit rose 29% in the third quarter despite a charge for merger-related layoffs. The bank earned $3.76 billion from $2.92 billion a year ago. The EPS fell to 91 cents a share from 96 cents a share. Analysts were expecting 91 cents per share. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for earnings of 90 cents a share in the 2003 third quarter, based on a 2-for-1 stock split that took effect on Aug. 27. Sales rose to $12.73 billion from $9.92 billion a year ago.