Economic Development

Ashton Group, a Milwaukee-based corporate financial advisory firm with additional offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, has hired Paul Snyder as president.

The U.S. economy is expected to continue strengthening, possibly picking up this spring and summer, according the Conference Board, which said today that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) grew 0.4 percent to 94.9 in January, led by the interest-rate spread and manufacturing hours.

Financial resources

BizTimes Media is seeking nominations for its 2012 Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards and IQ (Innovation Quotient) Awards.

Milwaukee-based Sensient Technologies Inc. reported fourth quarter net earnings of $28.6 million, or 57 cents per share, up from $25.8 million, or 52 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Milwaukee-based Badger Meter Inc. reported fourth quarter net earnings of $1.2 million, or 8 cents per share, which was down from a record$6.3 million, or 42 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

ZBB Energy Corp., a Menomonee Falls-based developer of renewable energy power platforms, reported a fiscal second quarter net loss of $2.8 million, or 8 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $1.8 million, or 9 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Officials from Roundy’s Inc., the Milwaukee-based company that operates the Pick ‘n Save grocery store chain, rang the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 10.

Menomonee Falls-based Actuant Corp. announced it has acquired Jeyco Pty Ltd , an Australian designer and provider of specialized mooring, rigging and towing systems and services to the offshore oil and gas industry.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to use $25.6 million of the $140 million the state is receiving from a settlement with large banks to help offset a projected state budget deficit.