Keith Cos.’ Quarterly Results Beat Estimates

Keith Cos., a Costa Mesa engineering and consulting firm, expects to report third-quarter earnings today of 29 cents a share, beating industry analysts’ estimates by 10 cents, the company’s chief executive said Wednesday.

Aram Keith, who also is chairman, said in an interview that the company will report income of $1.5 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with earnings of $813,000, or 16 cents a share, for the third quarter last year. Quarterly revenue rose to $13.6 million from $10.7 million in last year’s third quarter.

The company, which operates in California, Utah and Arizona, wants to extend its reach by adding small engineering and consulting firms in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, Keith said.

Keith, which began in 1983 by designing retirement communities and other gated, residential communities in Orange County, now is gaining revenue momentum by helping big electric utilities survey and build power plants in rapidly growing urban areas, the company said.