Three of four publicly-traded Inland Northwest companies releasing third-quarter earnings reports posted improved results. 

Two, Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla Mining Co. and Spokane-based Ambassadors Group Inc., reported net income in the third quarter after losing money during the third quarter of 2013. Red Lion Hotels Inc., of Spokane, reported more earnings.

Avista Corp., of Spokane, reported a decline in net income in the third quarter, compared with the year-earlier period, but said its year-to-date profits are better than expected.

Ambassadors Group Inc.

Ambassadors Group Inc., the Spokane-based provider of educational travel programs, reported this afternoon third-quarter net income of $2.3 million, or 14 cents a diluted share, up from a net loss of $1.6 million, or 10 cents a share, in the 2013 third quarter.

For the first three quarters of the year, though, the company has sustained a net loss of $9.4 million, or 56 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $1.6 million, or 9 cents a share in the year-earlier period.

Ambassadors reported gross revenue of $39.6 million and a total of 6,808 traveled delegations for the latest quarter, down from $46.9 million and 8,140 delegates in the year-earlier quarter, which it said was due to lower delegate counts on the company’s core Student Ambassadors programs.

Interim CEO Philip B. Livingston said in a press release, “During the quarter we formally contracted to sell our corporate office building, and we close the sale of BookRags. We are pleases those projects are completed and behind us. During the first half of 2015, we will move into smaller office space that is more appropriate for our business.”

Livingston added, “Together, the two transaction will have added approximately $12 million to our cash balance. We are debt free and continue to have a strong balance sheet, and we intend to protect our cash resources carefully, while adjusting our strategy going forward.

Avista Corp.

Avista Corp., of Spokane, announced this afternoon third-quarter net income of $10.5 million, or 16 cents a diluted share, down from income of $11.4 million, or 19 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

Through the first three quarters of the year, the power company reported income of $159.8 million, or $2.59 a share, up from $79.4 million, or $1.32 a share.

While the quarterly earnings were slightly below expectations due to a provision for earnings sharing with its Idaho customers, the company said its net income through the first three quarters was higher than expected due to higher energy loads, among other factors.

Scott Morris, Avista’s chairman, president, and CEO, said in a press release, “The recent completion of the sale of Ecova and the acquisition of Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. provide the opportunity for continued earnings growth going forward, including exploring new market opportunities in southeast Alaska.”

Hecla Mining Co.

Hecla Mining Co., of Coeur d’Alene, reported this afternoon third-quarter net income of $3.6 million, or 1 cent a diluted share, up from a net loss of $8.6 million, or 3 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

The company said it produced during the third quarter 2.9 million ounces of silver and about 42,500 ounces of gold, increases of 25 percent and 15 percent, respectively, compared with the year-earlier quarter.

In all, Hecla posted $135.5 million in sales, up 27 percent from $106.6 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Phillips S. Baker, Hecla’s president and CEO, said in a press release, “All three of our mines performed strongly in the third quarter, leading to higher production over the entire suite of metals we produced.”

Baker also said the company has had success in exploration during the past six months that have extended some veins and increased the opportunity for future growth. 

Red Lion Hotels Corp.

Red Lion Hotels Corp., of Spokane, posted this afternoon third-quarter net income of $5.1 million, or 26 cents a diluted share, up from $1.3 million, or 6 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

Greg T. Mount, Red Lion’s president and CEO, said in a press release that the third quarter marked the third straight period in which the company had made improvements in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and in revenue per available room.

“Our improved e-commerce, technology, and digital marketing capabilities have grown market share and reduced our cost of sale while simultaneously increasing our average daily rate to a level that is the highest the company has generated in a decade,” Mount said.

The company, which has more than 50 hotels in its system, signed three new franchise agreements during the quarter, giving it a total of 12 new franchisees so far this year. It also announced that it’s adding Hotel RL, an upscale brand.