July 29 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas producer Expand

Energy ( EXE ) reported a second-quarter profit on Tuesday,

compared with a year-earlier loss, as it benefited from higher

output and commodity prices.

The Oklahoma City-based company reported a net income of

$968 million, or $4.02 per share, for the three months ended

June 30, compared with a loss of $227 million, or $1.73 per

share, a year earlier.