DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Ameren Corp. (AEE) Friday said its first-quarter profit rose
2.2% on higher electric rates in Illinois.
The electric and natural-gas utility company, whose results beat
analysts' expectations, lowered its 2009 earnings guidance. Ameren
now expects 2009 earnings to be $2.63 to $2.98 a share, down from
$2.68 to $3.08 a share.
St. Louis-based Ameren posted first-quarter profit of $141
million, or 66 cents a share, up from $138 million, or 66 cents a
share, a year earlier. Total operating revenue fell 7.9% to $1.9
billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast, on
average, earnings of 57 cents a share.
Excluding the results of a 2007 Illinois electric rate
settlement and asset revaluations, first-quarter earnings fell 15%,
to $114 million, or 54 cents a share, from $134 million, or 64
cents a share, in 2008. The earnings drop resulted from lower
electric and gas sales in the recession, higher fuel costs and a
severe winter storm.
Ameren said in April that it was suspending plans to build a new
nuclear reactor in Missouri because of state legislation that would
prevent the company from recovering costs associated with building
the plant.
Ameren shares were up 26 cents, or 1.1%, at $23.28 in recent
trading.
-By Christine Buurma, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2061;
christine.buurma@dowjones.com