Evergy, Inc. EVRG reported third-quarter 2019 operating earnings of $1.57 per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.59 by 1.26%. The bottom line improved 13.77% from the year-ago-quarter’s $1.38.The upside in earnings was buoyed by higher gross margins, favorable weather driving demand for services, new retail rates and lower outstanding shares.GAAP earnings in the reported quarter were $1.56 compared with $1.32 a year ago.Total RevenuesEvergy’s total revenues came in at $1,577.6 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,619 million by 2.5%. The top line dropped 0.3% from the year-ago-quarter’s $1,582.5 million.Evergy Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Evergy Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Evergy Inc. QuoteHighlights of the ReleaseTotal operating expenses in the third quarter was $1,038.9 million, down 1% from the year-ago-quarter’s $1,049.4 million owing to lower fuel and purchased power along with operating and maintenance costs.Interest and related charges in the reported quarter was $90.8 million, up 1.9% from the year-ago level.This year as of Sep 30, Evergy repurchased 27.5 million shares worth $1,628.7 million. Since the inception of the repurchase program, the company has bought back 43.9 million shares worth $2.7 billion.Financial UpdateCash and cash equivalents as of Sep 30, 2019, were $50.1 million compared with $160.3 million as on Dec 31, 2018.Long-term debt as of Sep 30, 2019, was $8,749.2 million compared with $6,636.3 million as on Dec 31, 2018.Cash from operating activities in the first nine months of 2019 was $1,447.3 million compared with $1,191.6 million a year ago.GuidanceEvergy reaffirmed its 2019 earnings per share guidance at the range of $2.80-$3.00Zacks RankCurrently, Evergy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent ReleasesCovanta Holding CVA reported third-quarter 2019 earnings of 10 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents by 150%.Ameresco AMRC posted third-quarter 2019 earnings of 18 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents by 30.77%.TransCanada TRP reported third-quarter 2019 earnings of 79 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 76 cents by 8.95%.Wall Street’s Next AmazonZacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.Click for details >>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 TransCanada Corporation (TRP): Free Stock Analysis Report Ameresco, Inc. (AMRC): Free Stock Analysis Report Covanta Holding Corporation (CVA): Free Stock Analysis Report Evergy Inc. (EVRG): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research