expects to change the end of its fiscal year to Dec. 31 upon closing of itsmerger withDuke Energy Corp.

The changewill be effective after the end of its 2016 fiscal year on Oct. 31, accordingto a July 22 SEC regulatory filing.

Inaddition, Piedmont will suspend new investments in its dividend reinvestmentand stock purchase plan and in its employees stock purchase plan, botheffective July 31, after the merger with Duke closes.

Thetransaction is on track to be completed by the end of 2016, subject toapproval by the NorthCarolina Utilities Commission.