From WisBusiness.com …
— The WisBusiness.com index of Wisconsin-related stocks begins the week at just over 1,359 — up about 20 points from last week’s starting point.
One of Friday’s big Wisconsin winners was M&I Bank of Milwaukee, whose stock rose about 13 percent.
The bank has scheduled its first quarter earnings release for Thursday, and some big banks have been reporting better-than-expected numbers recently.
It’s a big week for major earnings reports in Wisconsin and nationally.
Among those with earnings news this week, in addition to M&I: Manpower, Badger Meter, Johnson Controls, WellPoint, Journal Communications, CNH Global and Bucyrus International.
Later this week — on Saturday — Harley-Davidson holds its shareholders meeting on the heels of negative financial news and more layoff notices. Harley enters today’s trading at about 19 — off from its 52-week high of about 48 dollars a share.
See more on corporate earnings and stocks at the WisBusiness.com Stock Tracker: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=140042
Other important business events this week: On Wednesday in Madison, the Gaylord Nelson Institute examines Wisconsin’s energy future at its annual Earth Day conference. Also in Madison, on Thursday, is the 8th Annual International Bioethics Forum.
— MG&E’s Gary Wolter will leave his position next month as head of the state’s Office of Recovery and Reinvestment. Wolter, who took the position on a temporary basis, will be replaced by Chris Patton, the Gov. Jim Doyle’s deputy policy director. Wolter’s last day on the job will be May 8, and Patton will take over May 11.
See the release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.Iml?Article=155802
— UW-Madison is ranked No. 6 on Playboy magazine’s latest list of the country’s top party schools. The ranking cites Madison’s support of its football and basketball teams, plus “parties on State and Mifflin streets.” But the magazine also gives a nod to Madison’s academic standing, calling it a “pretty good place to get an education.”
See the press release: http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-17-2009/0005007887&EDATE=
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Press Releases
· Alliant Energy: Reedsburg Hardwoods lumber mill process now powered by renewable energy
· Bank Mutual Corp.: Reports earnings for the first quarter of 2009
· Bank Mutual Corp.: Reports earnings for the first quarter of 2009
· Gov. Doyle: Thanks Gary Wolter, appoints successor for the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment
· Intelligent Conversation: How to sell in any economy
· North Shore Bank: To hold community shredding day at all Wisconsin branches on Saturday, May 2
· Taliesin Preservation Inc.: Food Fight Inc. comes to the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center
· U.S. Bank: Issues 30 millionth gift card; remains number one Visa gift card issuer in the nation
· UW-Eau Claire: Offers supervisory management seminars
· WIN: Emerging cancer drug and treatment companies to be featured at April 28 WIN-Madison
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: Biodiesel Basics #30 – Biodiesel byproduct used as livestock feed supplement
· Wisconsin Chapter of International Interior Designers Association: 2009 Interior Perspectives set for May 20-21
· Wisconsin Farm Bureau: Rendering rule moving too fast
· Wisconsin Public Service Corp.: Emission control projects completed at Weston power plant
· WPPI Energy: Homeowners complete net zero energy home, monitor energy use
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Janesville GM plant closing for good this week: GM spokesman Christopher Lee said operations at the southern Wisconsin plant will cease Thursday. About 1,200 employees were let go just before Christmas when GM ended SUV production at the plant.
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news.asp?id=BJPSTHP0JGo
Beaver Dam foundry reduces staff by half : Kirsh Foundry, Beaver Dam, has laid off half of its staff in three reductions over the past two months, the company said Friday.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/447520
Marine Travelift crane spells jobs in Door Co.: The gee-whiz numbers for a new 1,000-ton lift being built by Marine Travelift are impressive. Sixteen tires with enough rubber to make tires for 964 cars. More than 5 tons of bolts. More than a mile of wire rope.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090419/GPG03/904190665/1247
Brillion’s Professional Plating expands, logs best sales year ever: Professional Plating is coming off its best sales year ever, a showing that would be enviable enough given the dismal economy that slammed the manufacturing sector and the firm’s main client base especially hard.
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090419/APC03/904190519/1028
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Future looks bright for LED lighting
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090418/GPG03/904180596/1247
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Two businesses introduce new lawn mowers to the market
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090419/GPG03/904190664/1247
– A.O. Smith reduces 2009 outlook
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily62.html
– MillerCoors sales down slightly over 9 months
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43211707.html
LABOR (back to top)
– Former workers at NewPage Kimberly mill to picket Cerberus Capital Management
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090418/APC03/904180533/1028
– Survey: Pay cuts better than no job
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily71.html
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Coldwell Banker buys Egg Harbor businesses
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090418/GPG03/904180602/1247
– $5.8 million home sale sets record in Waukesha County
http://www.jsonline.com/realestate/43259962.html
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Swiss Colony issues voluntary recall of pistachio products
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/447527
– Raw milk draws fans, despite being illegal to sell
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43259972.html
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Community leaders push for transit authority
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/20/story6.html?b=1240200000^1813611
RETAIL (back to top)
– Business profile: Natural Market: Store promotes wellness
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090419/MAN03/904190380/1397
– Record shop playing against the odds
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/20/smallb1.html?b=1240200000^1813796
– Grafton Commons chose retailers carefully
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43208112.html
REGULATION (back to top)
– Madison’s smoking ban hits 5-year anniversary
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/447678
– CIB Marine facing regulatory crackdown
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily65.html
– Fiserv faces suit in Madoff case
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43208047.html
TOURISM (back to top)
– Future uncertain for Wisconsin’s film production tax credits
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/43253947.html
UTILITIES (back to top)
– PSC approves refund for We Energies customers
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily69.html
– Kewaunee nuclear power plant shut down
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43179997.html
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– GE Healthcare profit down 22 percent
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily66.htmlc
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Fox Communities Credit Union program focuses on helping individuals reduce debt
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090419/APC03/904190526/1028
– What’s news: Secura Insurance given ‘excellent’ financial rating
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090419/APC03/904190562/1028
– AIG unloading 21st Century in $2B deal
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/13/daily72.html
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– John Torinus: More manufacturers adopt lean techniques
http://www.jsonline.com/business/43208057.html
Media Partners
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