Improves

Following through on its intention to sell the company, independent power producer Sithe Energies last week sold 49.9% of its North American businesses to Philadelphia-based PECO Energy Co. for $682 million, with an option by PECO to purchase the rest of the company within five years.

Following through on its intention to sell the company,independent power producer Sithe Energies yesterday sold 49.9% ofits North American businesses to Philadelphia-based PECO Energy Co.for $682 million, with an option by PECO to purchase the rest ofthe company within five years.

The $1.9 billion sale in March of Panhandle Eastern Pipe Lineand Trunkline Gas to Michigan-based CMS Energy resulted in aone-time gain of $1.82 per share for the first quarter and anafter-tax gain of $660 million, putting Duke earnings for thequarter over results in the same quarter last year. Duke reportedearnings of $2.65 per share, compared with 87 cents in 1Q98.Without the sale, and the absence of an extraordinary item fromlast year’s quarter, basic first-quarter earnings were 83 cents pershare versus 89 cents last year.

The $1.9 billion sale in March of Panhandle Eastern Pipe LineCo. and Trunkline Gas Co. to Michigan-based CMS Energy resulted ina one-time gain of $1.82 per share for the first quarter and anafter-tax gain of $660 million, putting Duke earnings for thequarter over results in the same quarter last year. Duke reportedearnings of $2.65 per share, compared with 87 cents in 1Q98.Without the sale, and the absence of an extraordinary item fromlast year’s quarter, basic first-quarter earnings were 83 cents pershare versus 89 cents last year.