Progress Energy Inc. (PGN: chart), power company, said that its third-quarter earnings fell to $319 million, or $1.27 per share, compared with $450 million, or $1.82 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue dropped to $2.91 billion from $2.95 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.

Duke Energy (DUK: chart), engaged in the natural gas and electric businesses, reported a third-quarter net income of $763 million, or 60 cents per share, up from $41 million, or 4 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue increased to $4.17 billion from $3.03 billion during the third quarter a year ago.

NRG Energy Inc. (NRG: chart), power generator, said that its third-quarter net income was $422 million compared with a year-ago loss of $27 million. Revenue increased to $2 billion from $687 million a year ago.

KeySpan (KSE: chart), natural gas distributor, reported third-quarter net income of $50.3 million, or 29 cents per share compared with $22.6 million, or 13 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Revenue declined to $1.22 billion from $1.3 billion a year earlier.

Washington Post Co. (WPO: chart), publisher and educational services provider, said that its third-quarter earnings rose to $73.3 million, or $7.60 per share, compared with $66.6 million, or $6.89 per share a year-ago profit on a lower tax rate and gains from sales of property and marketable securities. Revenue climbed 8% to $946.9 million versus $873.7 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Ameren Corp. (AEE: chart), utility operator, said that its third-quarter earnings increased to $293 million, or $1.42 per share, versus $280 million, or $1.37 per share in the year-ago net income. Revenue was slightly higher and reached $1.91 billion from $1.88 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Edison International. (EIX: chart), energy utility operator, said that its third-quarter earnings declined to $458 million, or $1.38 per share, compared with $462 million, or $1.39 per share in the same quarter last year. Total operating revenue increased to $3.8 billion from $3.78 billion in the same period a year earlier.

DRS Technologies Inc. (DRS: chart), maker of surveillance and radar systems and other products for the military and intelligence agencies, reported second-quarter net income of $25.2 million, or 62 cents per share, up from $19 million, or 66 cents per share a year earlier. Revenue jumped 97% to $711.5 million from $361.9 million in the year-ago period.