Viewpoints

Milwaukee-based Joy Global Inc. reported fourth quarter net income of $136.9 million, or $1.38 per share, up from $26.8 million, or 25 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Milwaukee-based Actuant Corp. reported fiscal 2015 first quarter net earnings of $24.7 million, or 38 cents per share, down from $36.0 million, or 48 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2014.

Milwaukee-based The Marcus Corp. reported fiscal 2015 second quarter net earnings of $5.4 million, or 19 cents per share, up from $3.5 million, or 12 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2014.

Milwaukee-based restaurant company Lowlands Group has sold its Trocadero Gastrobar on Milwaukee’s East Side for $1 million, according to state records.

Donna Smith, executive vice president and head of corporate banking at Associated Banc-Corp, has announced she will retire on June 1, 2015.

U.S. Bank and First-Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise Inc. announced that they have closed on nearly $2 million in financing for the 100-room Hampton Inn and Suites hotel project at 8201 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis near Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Mount Kisco, New York-based private equity firm Kohlberg & Co. LLC has agreed to acquire Pleasant Prairie-based PPC Industries Inc.

Associated Bank on Monday opened a new branch bank in Racine at 5205 Washington Ave.

Ninety-nine percent of independent financial services and advisory practices go out of business when their founder retires, according to consulting firm FP Transitions.

Brian Bozek has been named vice president and central region district manager at Brookfield-based North Shore Bank.