Nicor Inc. (GAS:NYSE)

The board of directors of Nicor Inc. declared a quarterly common stock dividend of 46.5 cents per share, payable February 1, 2010, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2009. This payment continues the annual rate of $1.86 per share and represents the 224th consecutive quarterly dividend payment by the company. Dividends for preferred stock also declared payable February 1, 2010 include: 4.48% preferred $0.56 and 5.00% convertible preferred $0.625.

Nicor Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. The company reported third quarter 2009 preliminary net income, operating income and diluted and basic earnings per common share were $13.6 million, $29.8 million and $0.30, respectively. This compares to net income, operating income and diluted and basic earnings per common share for the same period in 2008 of $1.3 million, $9.3 million and $0.03, respectively. Earnings for the third quarter 2009, compared to the same period in 2008 reflect improved operating income in the company's gas distribution and other energy-related businesses; and higher corporate operating results, partially offset by lower operating income in the company's shipping business. The third quarter comparisons also reflect a lower effective income tax rate partially offset by lower pretax equity investment income. The company reported income before income taxes of $22.6 million on total operating revenues of $325.6 million compared to income before income taxes of $3.6 million on total operating revenues of $440.3 million for the same period of last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, preliminary net income, operating income and diluted and basic earnings per common share were $80.3 million, $129.2 million and $1.77, respectively. This compares to net income, operating income and diluted and basic earnings per common share for the same period in 2008 of $71.6 million, $113.1 million and $1.58, respectively. Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 2008, reflect higher operating income in the company's gas distribution and other energy-related businesses, partially offset by lower operating results in the company's shipping business and lower corporate operating results. The nine-month-ended comparisons also reflect lower interest income and a higher effective income tax rate; partially offset by higher pretax equity investment income in 2009. The company reported income before income taxes of $118.8 million on total operating revenues of $1,884.0 million compared to income before income taxes of $97.7 million on total operating revenues of $2,735.8 million for the same period of last year. The company raised its estimate for 2009 diluted earnings per common share to the range of $2.69 to $2.89; an increase from guidance provided in the company's second quarter earnings release on July 31, 2009 of $2.54 to $2.74 per share.

Nicor Inc. expected to Report Fiscal Year 2009 Results on February 22, 2010. This event was calculated by Capital IQ (Created on October 30, 2009).