July 30 (Reuters) - U.S. utility Exelon ( EXC ) on Thursday

reported second-quarter adjusted profit below Wall Street

estimates, as higher costs partly offset gains from higher

distribution and transmission rates.

Exelon's ( EXC ) shares were down 2.6% in premarket trading.

* The Chicago-based company posted adjusted operating

earnings of 43 cents per share for the three months ended June

30, compared with analysts' average estimate of 44 cents per

share, according to LSEG data. Earnings rose from 39 cents per

share a year earlier.

* Revenue for the quarter increased 10% from a year earlier

to $5.97 billion, exceeding analysts' average estimate of $5.63

billion.

* Higher distribution and transmission rates added $41

million to quarterly adjusted earnings, while other

energy-delivery revenue contributed $64 million, the company

said.

* But Exelon's quarterly operating and maintenance expenses

rose nearly 5% to $1.39 billion from a year earlier, while

interest expenses were up over 8%.

* Customer load also reduced quarterly adjusted earnings by

$6 million from a year earlier, highlighting the regulated

utility's reliance on rate-base growth and cost recovery rather

than electricity sales volumes.

* Exelon ( EXC ) reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted operating earnings

forecast of $2.81 to $2.91 per share and said it remained on

track to deliver annualized earnings growth near the upper end

of its 5% to 7% target range through 2029.

* Separately, Exelon ( EXC ) said its regulated subsidiary BGE filed

in July to increase Maryland annual electric distribution rates

by $156 million to fund grid investment, operating costs and

storm recovery.

* Its Atlantic City Electric unit also filed a

transmission-connected battery-storage proposal in New Jersey,

it added.