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As several competitors struggled for their very survival last week, Duke Energy reported earnings rose to 57 cents per share in the second quarter from 54 cents a share a year ago, due to hefty profits in the company’s gas pipeline business, which it said offset lower results for its sagging merchant energy business. Wall Street responded favorably to the news, with Duke Energy stock gaining about 27% in value for the week to trade at $22.45 a share late Friday.

As several competitors struggled for their very survival Tuesday, Duke Energy reported earnings rose to 57 cents per share in the second quarter from 54 cents a share a year ago, due to hefty profits in the company’s gas pipeline business, which it said offset lower results for its sagging merchant energy business. Despite the upbeat report, the company’s stock fell slightly to $19.06 a share in late-day trading.

As several competitors struggled for their very survival Tuesday, Duke Energy reported earnings rose to 57 cents per share in the second quarter from 54 cents a share a year ago, due to hefty profits in the company’s gas pipeline business, which it said offset lower results for its sagging merchant energy business. Despite the upbeat report, the company’s stock fell slightly to $19.06 a share in late-day trading.

Coming as some encouraging news in an energy industry in the midst of a financial and credit crisis, Dominion reported Thursday operating earnings for the second quarter of $272 million (97 cents per share), compared with $180 million (72 cents per share) for the same period in 2001, excluding a $25 million charge related to the divestiture of Saxon Capital, Inc.

Coming off a strong year for its software and its consulting services to energy market participants, New York City-based Caminus Corp. reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2001. The company posted pro forma net income of $9 million ($0.55 per share) for full year 2001, compared to $7.6 million ($0.49 per share) during 2000. Pro forma net income for the fourth quarter was $4.8 million ($0.28 per share), compared to $2.9 million ($0.18 per share) for the fourth quarter 2000.

Marking the fifth year in a row that it has met or exceeded its earnings growth commitments to Wall Street, UtiliCorp United reported Thursday full-year 2001 operating earnings of $2.44 per diluted share, a 17% increase over the previous year’s operating earnings per diluted share of $2.08. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for 2001 were $704.7 million, up 31% from $540 million a year earlier. The company also reported that sales for the year were up 39%, from $29 billion in 2000 to $40.4 billion for 2001.

Coming off of a year highlighted by milder than normal weather, El Paso Energy Partners LP. reported a 51% increase in 2001 pro forma cash flow, as measured by adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), of $161.4 million compared with $107.0 million in 2000. Pro forma net income, which also excludes non-recurring items, was $61.8 million ($0.58 per unit) for 2001 — more than triple the $20.5 million (loss of $0.03 per unit) in 2000. The company’s net income was $55.1 million ($0.38 per unit) for 2001 and includes non-recurring charges of $6.7 million ($0.19 per unit) primarily related to asset sales in 2001.

Following a busy annual shareholder meeting last Wednesday, New Jersey Resources Corp. (NJR), parent company of New Jersey Natural Gas Co. (NJNG), reported higher fiscal 2002 first-quarter earnings of $1.10 per share, a 10% increase compared with last year; a three-for-two stock split and a 500,000 share increase in its share repurchase plan. The meeting also marked the 50th anniversary of NJNG.

San Diego, CA-based Sempra Energy last week reported unaudited 2001 earnings of $518 million, or $2.52/diluted share, compared to $429 million, or $2.06/diluted share in 2000, a 22% increase, including a bigger share from its nonutility companies. Revenues were $8 billion for the full year in 2001, compared with $7 billion the previous year — a 14% rise.