In Q3, Westar Energy Spends More, Saves More and Increases Customer Count

SUGAR LAND--November 15, 2012--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--On Friday, November 9, 2012, Mark Ruelle, CEO of investor-owned electric utility Westar Energy Incorporated (NYSE:WR) (Topeka, Kansas), discussed a few observations about operations, regulatory activities and business trends, and the company's Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, Tony Somma, provided highlights on the financial performance of the third quarter as well as information about some major projects that Westar is involved in. Overall, the executives were "generally pleased" with Westar's financial performance; however, they still would like to take measures to control costs and increase growth. Somma got right to business by saying that Westar Energy's gross margin increased $31 million or 7%. He contributed this gain to higher prices, and then mentioned that retail sales volumes, on the other hand, decreased 3% in the third quarter because of cooler weather.