Westar EnergyInc. booked $65.6 million, or 46 cents per share, in first-quarter2016 net income attributable to stockholders. The result, which is in line withanalyst estimates, is an increase on the $51.0 million, or 38 cents per share,in net income attributable to stockholders booked during the first quarter of2015.

The company's results were helped by lower expenses giventhe retirement of certain older, smaller generating plants late last year. Theresult was also helped by a rate case order which was approved in fall of2015 but "the effects of unusually mild weather" offset suchgains.

As a result, the company's first-quarter 2016 revenuesnarrowed to $569.5 million from $590.8 million in the opening months of 2015while operating expenses narrowed to $427.6 million from $465.2 million in thecomparable quarter of 2015.

Westar Energy continues to 2016 EPS of $2.38 to $2.53 andwill hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET on May 4 to discuss its results.