BLACK HILLS CORP current report, Q4 FY2007

Business Context and Reporting Period

Company: BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
Filing Type: Form 8-K (Current Report)
Date of Report: November 1, 2007
Reporting Period: Third quarter ended September 30, 2007

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Q3 2007 Q3 2006
Net Income $17.5 million $22.3 million
Earnings Per Share (Diluted) $0.46 $0.66
Income from Continuing Operations $17.6 million $22.2 million
Income from Continuing Operations (Per Share) $0.46 $0.66

Note: The filing text does not provide specific values for revenue, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity for this period.

Material Changes

  • Net Income Decline: Net income decreased by $4.8 million (approximately 21.5%) compared to the same period in 2006.
  • Earnings Per Share Decline: EPS decreased by $0.20 per share (approximately 30.3%) year-over-year.
  • Continuing Operations: Income from continuing operations followed a similar downward trend, dropping from $22.2 million to $17.6 million.

Guidance, Outlook, and Commentary

  • 2008 Guidance: Management provided earnings guidance for the fiscal year 2008, though specific figures are not detailed in this 8-K summary text.
  • Disclosure Status: The financial results are furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and are not deemed "filed" under Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Investor Verification Checklist

  • Review the attached press release (Exhibit 99) for the specific details of the 2008 earnings guidance.
  • Verify the reasons for the 21.5% decline in net income and 30.3% decline in EPS compared to Q3 2006.
  • Check subsequent filings for revenue, cash flow, and debt metrics which are absent from this specific 8-K text.