R & D spending is expected to be $ 4.4 billion for the year , as compared to the previous expectation of $ 4.3 billion .

Spending on research and development is expected to be $ 4.4 billion for the year , compared with the previous expectation of $ 4.3 billion .

Please tell me if the sentences above mean the same.
Options:
(a). no
(b). yes
(b).