Natural gas producer and pipeline company Williams Cos. Inc. (NYSE WMB) on Thursday reported higher third-quarter earnings on increased natural gas output and sales margins.

Net income rose to $106.2 million, or 18 cents a share, from $4.4 million, or 1 cent a share, a year earlier.

Earnings from continuing operations were $172.4 million, or 28 cents per share, beating analysts' average forecast of 26 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Williams also raised its expectations for full-year recurring consolidated segment profits after mark-to-market accounting adjustments to a range of $1.8 billion to $2.02 billion from $1.69 billion to $2.01 billion.