CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Duke Energy’s fourth quarter earnings fell 33 percent as mild weather reduced demand for electricity.
Duke earned $288 million, or 22 cents per share, down from $427 million, or 32 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The year-earlier results were helped by a sale of a fiber optic company. This year, Duke incurred costs associated with its proposed merger with in-state rival Progress Energy.
Duke’s earnings, adjusted to remove the effects of special items, rose 14 percent to 24 cents per share. Revenue was $3.37 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of 21 cents per share on revenue of $3.36 billion.
Results were helped by strong performance of its international operations.
For the full year, Duke Energy Corp. earned $1.71 billion on revenue of $14.53 billion.
