Ideas

I used to love “Meet the Press,” the Sunday morning TV show where I'd gain new insights into a pressing public issue. Today the show feels more like a platform for propaganda from different sides of the political debate.

As the economy recovers, now is the time for company owners to plan for their next move, as the mergers and acquisitions market is quickly heating up.

Brookfield-based QPS Employment Group, a staffing and recruiting firm, has acquired the Kansas City, Mo., operations of SOS Staffing Services Inc., a national recruiting firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wisconsin Energy Corp. reported first quarter net income from continuing operations of $172.1 million or 74 cents per share, up from $170.9 million, or 72 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Fiserv Inc. reported first quarter net income of $132 million, or 94 cents per share, up from $112 million, or 76 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. has acquired Runelandhs Forsaljnings AB, a direct marketer of industrial and office equipment in Kalmar, Sweden.

Process Retail Group Inc., a New Berlin-based integrated designer and manufacturer of custom permanent retail environments, announced it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Accent Industries Inc. of Kenosha.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. launched the Baird Small Cap Value Fund.

Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. saw record results in some areas of its business last year, including equity capital markets, asset management and private wealth management.

Love him or hate him, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Jr. is the champ. With a perfect record of 43-0, he's the highest paid athlete in the world having earned over $200 million in the ring. In Saturday's pay-per-view bout, he made a cool $32 million; putting his total purse from the last three fights over $100 million. Floyd is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.