Interstate Bakeries has said it expected fourth-quarter and fiscal 2003 earnings to be around ten to 12 cents per share below previous guidance.

Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been expecting earnings of 92 cents a share for the fiscal year, reported The Associated Press.

The Kansas City-based maker of Wonder bread and Hostess snacks said the changes are mainly due to a rise in self-insurance reserves to cover higher worker compensation claims.

Interstate Bakeries is scheduled to post its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2003 results on 14 July.