Great Southern reports quarterly earnings increase

Great Southern Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Great Southern Bank, announced in a news release preliminary earnings of 65 cents per share for the quarter that ended June 30.

By comparison, the company's stock earned 53 cents per share for the same quarter a year ago, representing a 23 percent increase.

For the six months ending June 30, preliminary earnings were $1.33 per share, which represents a 32 percent increase compared to the same period in 2000.

As of July 11, 9,642 shares of stock had been repurchased as part of a previously announced stock repurchasing plan.