Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
Filing Type: Form 8-K (Current Report)
Date of Report: February 1, 2008
Subject: Announcement of preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2007.
Key Financial Metrics
The filing provides preliminary earnings per share (EPS) ranges for income from continuing operations. Specific data on revenue, total profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity is not provided in this text.
| Period | Metric | 2007 Preliminary Range | 2006 Comparable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Quarter | Income from Continuing Operations (per share) | $0.61 to $0.65 | $0.62 |
| Full Year | Income from Continuing Operations (per share) | $2.64 to $2.68 | $2.21 |
Material Changes Versus Prior Period
- Full Year 2007: Income from continuing operations is expected to increase significantly compared to 2006, with the lower end of the 2007 range ($2.64) exceeding the full 2006 result ($2.21).
- Fourth Quarter 2007: Expected income is projected to be roughly flat to slightly lower than the fourth quarter of 2006 ($0.62), depending on where the actual result falls within the $0.61 to $0.65 range.
Guidance, Outlook, and Risks
Management Commentary: The company issued a press release (attached as Exhibit 99) detailing these preliminary results. The filing explicitly states that this information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and is not deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor is it incorporated by reference into other filings unless expressly stated.
Risks and Contingencies: The filing text does not disclose specific risks, contingencies, or unusual items beyond the standard legal disclaimers regarding the preliminary nature of the data.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the final audited financial statements to confirm if actual EPS falls within the preliminary ranges provided.
- Review the attached press release (Exhibit 99) for detailed breakdowns of revenue, operating expenses, and segment performance not included in this summary.
- Check subsequent filings for updates on debt levels, liquidity positions, and cash flow metrics, as these were not disclosed in this 8-K.