text_combined: third quarter earnings results today announced third quarter earnings results right target analysts estimates recurring earnings per diluted share 0 43 marks 26 percent increase third quarter last year due strong performance core wholesale retail energy businesses natural gas pipelines addition also announced track earnings target 0 45 fourth quarter 1 80 2001 2 15 2002 made commitment would provide timely information enron business strategy performance email intended provide explanation earnings quarter past months met analysts discuss enron performance received considerable feedback investors analysts needed expand financial reporting include details business units response feedback provided results separately several business units example provided volume figures north america europe first quarter provided financials separately enron americas europe commodities addition information global assets previously included numbers wholesale services quarter reported separately finally even though broadband business part enron wholesale services continuing report business separately following highlights businesses wholesale services total income interest minority interests taxes ibit increased 28 754 million third quarter total wholesale physical volumes increased 65 88 2 trillion british thermal units equivalent per day tbtue americas ibit increased 31 701 million natural gas volumes increased 6 26 7 tbtu power volumes increased 77 290 million megawatt hours mwh europe commodity markets ibit remained unchanged 53 million compared last year physical gas power volumes increased low volatility markets caused profitability remain flat retail services enron energy services reported ibit 71 million compared 27 million year ago far year ees completed 50 transactions large customers 95 000 deals small business customers transportation distribution natural gas pipelines ibit increased slightly 85 million third quarter portland general reported ibit loss 17 million quarter compared ibit 74 million year ago loss due power contracts pge entered prices significantly higher actual settled prices third quarter last week announced agreement sell pge northwest natural transaction expected close next year global assets segment includes elektro dabhol tgs azurix enron wind third quarter ibit remained unchanged 19 million compared last year broadband services ibit losses 80 million current quarter compared 20 million loss last year quarter results include significantly lower investment related income lower operating costs corporate segment includes unallocated expenses associated general corporate functions segment reported ibit loss 59 million compared 106 million year ago addition quarter announced one time charges 1 01 billion past quarters conducted thorough review businesses decided take certain charges clear away issues clouded performance earnings potential core businesses charges include 287 million write azurix corp 183 million associated restructuring broadband services includes severance costs loss sale inventory like servers routers write value content services contracts due bankruptcy number customers 544 million related losses certain investments primarily enron interest new power company broadband technology investments early termination structured finance arrangement announcements quarter accomplished three things 1 showed continued strong earnings earnings growth core businesses 2 cleared away things clouding superb performance core businesses 3 expanded reporting financial results increase transparency investors read full earnings press release go www enron com corp pressroom releases