BUSINESS MEMO: AG. EDWARD'S EARNINGS

AG. Edward's Inc. has announced results for the third quarter and the first nine months, which ended Nov. 30.

Net earnings were reported at $115 million for the third quarter on revenues of $715 million, or $1.23 cents per basic share. During the same period a year ago, earnings were $68 million on revenues of $524 million, or 70 cents per basic shares.

Earnings for nine months were at record levels. Net earnings of $282 million, or $2.97 basic earnings per share, were up 31 percent from net earnings of $216 million or $2.22 per share, during the first nine months of 1998. Revenues were also at record levels, at $2 billion, from $1.65 billion a year ago.

Edward's is a financial services holding company whose primary subsidiary is the brokerage firm of AG. Edward's & Sons Inc. of St. Louis, which operates 626 brokerage offices, including a branch office at 97 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.