Daytrading, Eminis, Forex trading, Swing Trading TOP STORY - 493389

It said the 2007 earnings guidance illustrates the improved financial condition of both Detroit Edison and MichCon utilities, the ongoing implementation of the company's Performance Excellence Process and continued strength in its non- utility businesses. The Detroit-based diversified energy company also noted that the dividend increase was the first time in more than a decade. DTE energy increased its 2006 operating earning guidance, excluding synthetic fuels, to $2.

52-2.63 per share from the previous guidance of $2.42-2.

53 per share. In fact, the company had tightened its guidance only on November 1 when it announced its third quarter results. At that time, the company narrowed its guidance for 2006 operating earnings, excluding income from synthetic fuel operations, to a range $2.

42-2.53 per share from $2.41-2.

66 per share. Synthetic fuel operations are expected to report $0.53-0.

65 per share for 2006. Operating earnings on an actual basis is expected at $448-468 million. The company expects adjusted cash from operations of $1.

42-1.52 billion in 2006. This also includes expected synfuel production payment of $325-375 million from partners.

Detroit Edison is set to be the major contributor to the operating earnings with $350-355 million, while MichCon's contribution is $60-65 million in 2006. Energy trading forms another $60-70 million. In addition, the company issued 2007 operating earnings guidance, excluding synthetic fuels, of $2.

60-2.80 per share. Synthetic fuel operations are expected to report $0.

60-1.25 per share for 2007. Operating earnings on actual basis is expected to be $460-495 million.

DTE Energy also expects 2007 adjusted cash from operations in the range of $1.60-1.80 billion, a 17% midpoint increase from 2006 numbers.

The company noted that expected realization of approximately $600 million of cash from the synthetic fuel business in 2007 partially drove this increase from 2006 guidance. This included an expected $425-475 million in production payments from partners. DTE Energy expects Detroit Edison to pump in $340-350 million to operating earnings, which was slightly lower than its expected contribution in 2006, while MichCon's share is better than 2006 at $80-85 million.

However, energy trading is also expected to contribute lower than 2006 at $50-55 million. The company assumes normal weather in 2007 versus the warmer than normal weather that has negatively impacted 2006 that led to better guidance. The company expects return on equity of 11% from the above two utilities.

Attributing 2007 earnings guidance partly to improved financial condition of the company's Detroit Edison and MichCon utilities, DTE Energy president and COO Gerard Anderson said, "We expect to generate significant value for shareholders in 2007 as we continue our $1.3 billion investment in utility environmental and safety projects and execute our Non-Utility Action Plan." The Non-Utility Action Plan, announced in November 2006, entails monetizing assets in select non-utility businesses that have grown to a sufficient size and scale.

Throughout 2007, the company expects to generate at least $1 billion in proceeds from the execution of this plan. While the company continues to move forward with the Non-Utility Action Plan, it said the guidance assumes the businesses remain in their current state throughout 2007. The company said it will provide additional information regarding the potential impact on 2007 earnings when material assets are monetized throughout 2007.

While issuing earnings guidance for 2006 and 2007, the company's board of Directors also declared a higher quarterly dividend payable January 15, 2007 to its shareholders of record at the close of business December 18, 2006. As such, the dividend on its common stock is increased to $0.53 per share from $0.

515 per share. This dividend represents an annualized increase of $0.06 per share, to $2.

12 per share from $2.06 per share, the company noted. Pleased to announce the company's first dividend increase in more than a decade, DTE Energy chairman and CEO Anthony Earley noted that the increase reflects DTE's strong financial position, increasing cash flow and improving utility earnings.

Earley added that the Board's decision is indicative of the company's continued focus on enhancing shareholder value. During the regular trading session, the stock moved in a range $47.20-47.

76, and closed $0.31 lower at $47.29, close to high end of 52-week range of $38.

77-47.90. The stock witnessed a volume of 537k shares versus daily average of 884k.

However, the stock is moving in the range of $47.23-47.44 during after-hours session and is currently at $47.

23, six cents lower than regular close. During this period, 26,000 shares changed hands.