exelon inc said fourthquarter earnings rose 10 on higher electricity rates and the utility giant projected continued operating earnings growth in 2023 the chicago company posted fourthquarter net income of 432 million or 43 cents a share up from 391 million or 31 cents a share a year earlier exelon also posted fourthquarter adjusted earnings of 43 cents a share up from 39 cents a share for 2023 exelon forecast adjusted earnings in a range between 230 and 242 a share up from 227 a share for 2022 the utility operator projected capital spending of 313 billion in the coming four years utilities outperformed the broad market in 2022 because of the evergreen nature of their business and an ability to capitalize on inflationary trends