Earnings from the company’s midstream operations increased $0.17 per diluted share for the fiscal year. Earnings per diluted share from the company’s natural gas distribution business increased $0.11 per diluted share during fiscal 2007 due to the impact of rate adjustments and increased consumption by temperature-sensitive customers.
Earnings from other business operations decreased $0.05 per diluted share in fiscal 2007, due primarily to a decline in merchandise sales and merchandise-related activities and an increase in corporate operating expenses.
The company reported earnings of $0.40 and $0.16 per diluted share, respectively, for the fourth quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The board has declared a quarterly dividend on the outstanding common stock of $0.25 per share, to be paid January 1, 2008 to holders of record as of December 6, 2007.
