DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. (NYSE:PDX) (PDX) on Monday it expects second-quarter net income of 77 cents to 80 cents a share, compared to the target of 84 cents a share in a survey of analysts by FactSet.

The company cited lower patient volume and said it'll fall short of its 2008 earnings target.

Separately, Pediatrix's board authorized the company to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock through open market transactions.

-Steve Gelsi; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   05-27-08 0733   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.