Banking & Finance

The board of directors of Milwaukee-based Sensient Technologies Corp. is defying an attempt by a hedge fund to nominate four people to serve on the board at the company’s next annual meeting of shareholders.

Wells Fargo Bank has contributed a $150,000 grant to a joint project between ACTS Housing and Rebuilding Together of Greater Milwaukee that aims to breathe new life into distressed neighborhoods and give low-income income residents and families a chance to become homeowners.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. is planning to sell its automotive headliner and sun visor business to Connecticut private equity firm Atlas Holdings LLC, according to a report from Automotive News Europe.

James Ropella, senior vice president and chief financial officer of First Business Financial Services Inc., announced today he plans to retire in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. today reported fiscal second quarter net earnings of $16.4 million, or 31 cents per share, up sharply from a net loss of $8.7 million, or 17 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2013.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. today reported a record year for its investment banking arm in 2013.

Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual today announced it will pay a record $5.2 billion dividend to policyowners. Most of that payout will be used to purchase additional coverage.

Milwaukee-based Koss Corp. reported a fiscal second quarter net loss of $3.4 million, or 47 cents per share, down dramatically from net income of $338,688, or 5 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2013.

Waukesha-based Generac Holdings Inc. reported fourth quarter net income of $48.5 million, or 69 cents per share, up from $28.3 million, or 41 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 2012.

MillerCoors LLC reported fourth quarter net income of $239.9 million, up from $172.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.