Earnings are up at electric and gas utility Fortis, which is based in St. John’s and is the parent company of Newfoundland Power.

Second quarter earnings rose to $396-million, up from $284-million the same period a year ago. Shares rose to 78 cents from 76.

David Hutchens, President and CEO, says on a year-to-year basis, earnings to date were $897-million, an increase of $14-million compared to the first half of last year.

Fortis has almost 10,000 employees.