UPDATE: Southern Posts Rise In Q4 Earnings

Southern Co

reported an 8.1% gain in its fourth-quarter earnings. Southern's quarterly earnings rose to $414 million, from a year-ago profit of $383 million. On a per-share basis, its earnings climbed to $0.47 from $0.44 per share. Excluding special items, it earned $0.48 per share. The company had earlier expected earnings of $0.44 per share. Its revenue surged 6% to $3.93 billion, versus analysts' estimates of $3.87 billion. Southern shares rose 0.48% to $41.45 in pre-market trading.