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Ameren, Build-A-Bear report lower first-quarter earnings

Ameren Missouri crews try to sort through downed wires and poles in Richmond Heights following a February storm. Storm-related expenses contributed to lower first-quarter earnings for the company.
(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
Ameren Missouri crews try to sort through downed wires and poles in Richmond Heights following a February storm. Storm-related expenses contributed to lower first-quarter earnings for the company.

Two St. Louis-based companies are reporting lower earnings for the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

Ameren today said the company earned 25 cents a share over the first three months of 2011 versus 40 cents a share in the same time frame last year. Company officials say the decrease is due to higher-than-expected costs for storm clean-up, warmer temperatures, and an income tax increase in Illinois.

CEO Tom Voss said in a statement says the earnings are still on track with expectations and affirmed the company's prediction that it would earn between $2.20 and $2.60 a share this year.

Also today, Build-A-Bear Workshop reported that it lost 12 cents a share in the first quarter of 2011, compared to a nine-cent gain last year. The company says a late Easter contributed to the lower earnings. Maxine Clark, the company's CEO, said she remains confident the company will reach its annual goals.

Rachel is the justice correspondent at St. Louis Public Radio.