Eversource Energy ES reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of 72 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents by 5.8%. The quarterly earnings were also up 12.5% from the year-ago quarter figure of 64 cents.The year-over-year increase in earnings can be attributed to higher level of investment in Eversource’s transmission system.Total RevenueEversource’s second-quarter revenues of $1,762.8 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,800 million by 2.1% and decreased 0.2% from the year-ago figure of $1,767.2 million.Highlights of the ReleaseIn the reported quarter, total electric distribution decreased 1.9% year over year to 12,164 Gigawatt hours, and natural gas distribution decreased 4.6% to 17,016 million cubic feet of gas.Operating expenses decreased nearly 2.7% year over year to $1,307.1 million, primarily due to lower expenses incurred for purchased power, fuel and transmission as well as operations and maintenance activities.Operating income was up 7.6% to $455.7 million from $423.4 million a year ago.In the reported quarter, interest expense was $107.3 million, up 6.8% year over year.Net income in the reported quarter was $230.7 million, up 13.3% year over year.Eversource Energy Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Eversource Energy Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Eversource Energy QuoteSegmental PerformanceElectric Distribution and Generation: Segment earnings were up 18.6% to 1.9 million primarily due to lower operation and maintenance expenses along with higher distribution revenues.Electric Transmission: Segment earnings advanced 4.2% to $96.4 million backed by increased level of investment in company’s transmission system.Natural Gas Distribution: Segment earnings were $4.5 million compared with $8.0 million in the year-ago quarter. Lower sales were a result of milder early spring temperatures in 2017, higher depreciation, and operation and maintenance expense.Eversource Parent & Other Companies: The segment earned $7.9 million, much higher than the year-ago earnings of $0.3 million. Improved results were a result of gains related to company’s investment in certain renewable energy facilities.GuidanceEversource reaffirmed 2017 earnings per share in the range of $3.05–$3.20. Long-term earnings growth is projected in the range of 5–7%.Zacks RankEversource currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here..Other Utility ReleasesNextEra Energy, Inc. NEE reported second-quarter 2017 operating earnings of $1.86 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.76 by 5.68%.DTE Energy Company DTE reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.07 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 99 cents by 8.08%.WEC Energy Group, Inc. WEC reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of 63 cents per share, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 59 cents by 6.78%.The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of AllLast year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce ""the world's first trillionaires,"" but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC): Free Stock Analysis Report NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report DTE Energy Company (DTE): Free Stock Analysis Report Eversource Energy (ES): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research