Allete Q4 Profit Edges Down - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Allete Inc. (ALE) reported that its fourth-quarter net income attributable to the company declined to $32.9 million from $33.0 million in the prior year. Earnings per share were $0.73 down from $0.82 last year.

But, operating revenue grew to $290.7 million from $268.0 million in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.68 per share and revenues of $281.30 million for the fourth-quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company expects to earn between $3.00 and $3.20 per share in 2015 on net income of between $140 million and $150 million, excluding costs associated with the recently announced acquisition of U.S. Water Services. Analysts expect annual earnings of $3.21 per share.