Aquila Inc. said Thursday that third-quarter profits rose dramatically as the company realized gains on selling three of its gas utilities.

For the three months ending Sept. 30, the Kansas City, Mo.-based company reported earnings of $115.7 million, or 31 cents per share, compared with a loss of $75.7 million, or 20 cents per share, during the same period a year ago.

Measuring just those operations the company has not yet sold, the company said it lost $20.6 million, or 5 cents per share, compared with a loss of $80 million, or 21 cents per share, during the year-ago period.