Chicago-based consumer goods giant Sara Lee Corp has posted a 4% rise in sales year on year to US$4.2bn for the Q3 ended 30 March. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were US$0.31, an increase of 15% compared to US$0.27, excluding unusual items, for last year's Q3.   For the first nine months of fiscal 2002, sales were US$13.1bn, up 3% over the same period a year ago. Diluted EPS for this period, excluding unusual items, was US$0.94 in fiscal 2002 versus US$0.99 in fiscal 2001.