Feb 4 (Reuters) - Atmos Energy ( ATO ) posted a rise in

first-quarter profit on Tuesday, as the natural gas utility

benefited from higher rates.

During the reported quarter, the company implemented, or

received approval to implement ratemaking regulatory actions

which resulted in an increase in annual operating income of

$150.5 million.

Higher rates boosted operating income in its distribution

segment by 12.7% to $316.1 million, from the previous year.

Growth in residential customers and increased industrial

load also helped the segment's quarterly performance.

Atmos delivers natural gas to about 3 million distribution

customers across eight U.S. states.

The company, which also operates about 5,700 miles of

transmission pipelines in Texas, said quarterly operating

earnings in its pipeline and storage unit rose 20.9% to $143.4

million, from the previous year.

It reaffirmed its full-year profit forecast range of $7.05

to $7.25 per share.

The Dallas, Texas-based company's net income rose to $351.9

million, or $2.23 per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31, from

$311.3 million, or $2.08 cents per share, a year earlier.