Piedmont Natural Gas Q1 Profit Up - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc. (PNY) Thursday reported first-quarter profit of $97.6 million or $1.26 per share, up from $85.9 million or $1.18 per share in the same period last year.

On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $1.19 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Operating revenues increased 28 percent to $657.73 million from $515.88 million last year. Analysts expected sales of $550.43 million.

Looking ahead to the fiscal 2014, the company has raised its earnings outlook to a range of $1.80 to $1.90 per share from its previous guidance range of $1.73 to $1.83 per share. Analysts currently expect first-quarter earnings of $1.80 per share.