Prudential Financial Inc.’s (PRU) third-quarter earnings of $1.59 per share was well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33. Results also topped prior-year period’s earnings of $1.02 per share. The upside was driven primarily by strong annuity sales and market appreciation.   Prudential raised its guidance for the full fiscal 2009, based on its earning’s strength and current financial market conditions, including equity market levels, interest rates and credit spread. The company now expects earnings of $5.40 to $5.60 per share, elevated from the earlier range of $5.00 to $5.20 per share.   Net income for the Financial Services Businesses attributable to Prudential Financial Inc. was $1.09 billion or $2.35 per common share, compared to a net loss of $118 million 25 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. The company’s outstanding shares increased 9% year over year due to its stock offering in June.   Prudential’s ...