July 31 (Reuters) - Utility firm Ameren ( AEE ) beat

Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit on Thursday, as

higher electricity rates helped offset unfavorable weather and

higher operating expenses.

Utility firms use rate case proceedings to seek power price

increases, basing their appeals on their investments or expenses

incurred in delivering services.

The higher rates helped offset both its total quarterly

operating expenses, which were up about 36% at $1.81 billion

from a year earlier, and a 13% rise in interest charges to $187

million.

Ameren Missouri, its largest segment by profit, has been

making significant investments to upgrade its grid

infrastructure, leading to higher borrowings and a corresponding

rise in interest expenses.

The segment reported quarterly earnings of $150 million, up

about 17% from a year earlier.

The utility serves about 2.4 million electric customers and

more than 900,000 natural gas customers in Missouri and

Illinois.

The St. Louis, Missouri-based company reaffirmed its 2025

profit forecast range of $4.85 to $5.05 per share.

The company reported an adjusted profit of $1.01 per share

for the quarter ended June 30, compared with analysts' average

estimate of 98 cents per share, according to data compiled by

LSEG.