SIOUX FALLSSIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Shares of VeraSun Energy Corp. surged Tuesday after the ethanol producer reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter.

The stock climbed 88 cents, or 12.5 percent, to $7.91 in morning trading. Shares have traded in a 52-week range of $3.75 to $17.75.

The company late Monday reported a 58-percent jump in second-quarter profit on higher production volume and an increase in average per-gallon prices. The result beat analyst estimates.

VeraSun has an ethanol plant in Hankinson, in southeastern North Dakota.