Empire District Electric earnings flat in 3Q

Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE: EDE) posted roughly flat third-quarter earnings of $23.9 million.

Diluted share earnings for the company dropped 1 cent to 55 cents for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared to the prior year. Empire District serves some 217,000 customers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, including Greene County, according to a news release.

Third-quarter financial notes:

• During the quarter, electric revenues increased to $164.5 million from $150.4 million a year earlier, while gas revenues were flat at $5 million.
• The company filed an electric rate increase request Aug. 29 with the Missouri Public Service Commission to boost annual revenue by $24.3 million.
• The company yesterday declared a quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share, a 2 percent increase compared to the prior quarter.

EDE shares were trading at $28.59 as of 10:51 a.m., just below its 52-week high of $29.24.