Banking & Finance

A.O. Smith Corp. reported third quarter net earnings of $46.2 million, or 50 cents per share, up from $36 million, or 40 cents per share, at the same time a year ago.

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. reported that its earnings and dealer new motorcycle sales rose sharply in the third quarter.

Men's Wearhouse Inc. is attempting to acquire Port Washington-based Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp., according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Facing a global commodity glut with no end in sight, Caterpillar Inc. announced that its third-quarter earnings plunged 44 percent and it cut its economic forecast again.

Koss Corp. reported fiscal first quarter net income of $79,402, or 1 cent per share, compared with $366,153, or 5 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Imagine running a business in which sales always go up, income is steadily increasing and you are always able to predict and react to economic cycles. Imagine real estate prices continuing to rise and the value of your equipment remaining constant.

First Business Financial Services Inc. reported third quarter net income of $3.6 million, or 91 cents per diluted common share, in the third quarter, compared with $2.6 million, or 99 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

John Hazod has been named president and chief executive officer of Pewaukee-based Foundations Bank.

After working at Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. for 19 years, financial planner Betty Wellhoefer Hill has branched out to establish her own investment advisory firm in Grafton.

Reflecting the rebound of the U.S. housing market, Milwaukee-based MGIC Investment Corp. reported third quarter net income for of $12.1 million, or 4 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $246.9 million, or $1.22 per share, for the same quarter a year ago.