Topeka ? Electric utility Westar Energy Inc. on Wednesday reported a sixfold jump in fourth-quarter earnings. Revenue climbed 4 percent.

The Topeka-based company, which has 650,000 electricity customers in Kansas, said it earned $88.6 million, or $1.03 per share, for the latest period, compared with $13.7 million, or 19 cents per share, a year ago. Those figures reflect income from discontinued operations of $71.9 million in the latest quarter versus a loss of $26.5 million a year ago.

Fourth-quarter ongoing earnings were $20.4 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with $16.2 million, or 22 cents per share, a year ago.

Revenue rose to $344.3 million from $331.7 million.

Retail sales increased $3.5 million from a year ago, helped by a 2.2 percent increase in sales volumes.

Operating expenses rose $33.4 million, reflecting increased fuel and purchased power expenses, among other factors. For the full year, earnings came to $177.9 million, or $2.14 a share, compared with $84 million, or $1.16 per share, in 2003.

Annual revenue remained virtually unchanged from a year ago, at $1.46 billion.

During 2004, the company reduced debt by $533.4 million. It wiped an additional $305.2 million from its balance sheet through the sale of its company’s majority interest in alarm-systems monitor Protection One Inc.

Shares of Westar fell 60 cents, or 2.6 percent, to close at $22.18 on the New York Stock Exchange.