Banking & Finance

Appleton Papers Inc. and Hicks Acquisition Company II Inc. announced a definitive agreement under which Appleton will engage in a business combination with Hicks in a transaction valued at $675 million.

MGIC Investment Corp. announced that its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. subsidiary has filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Milwaukee against Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Finance Administration (Freddie Mac's conservator) regarding the pool insurance dispute between MGIC and Freddie Mac.

Milwaukee's Bradley Center has been renamed the BMO Harris Bradley Center after the bank made an undisclosed investment in the future of the building.

Eaton Corp., a diversified power management company based in Cleveland, has acquired Dublin, Ireland-based Cooper Industries, the parent company of Cooper Power Systems in Waukesha.

Kenosha plastic injection molder Xten Industries has acquired the assets of Paramount Plastics LLC in Lockport, Ill.

Milwaukee's Bradley Center was renamed the BMO Harris Bradley Center this morning after the bank made an undisclosed investment in the future of the building.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. reported fiscal third quarter net income of $27.7 million, or 52 cents per share, down from $28.6 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Appleton Papers Inc. and Hicks Acquisition Company II Inc. announced a definitive agreement under which Appleton will engage in a business combination with Hicks in a transaction valued at $675 million.

A healthy manufacturing sector is key to better jobs, rising productivity and higher standards of living. Today, U.S. manufacturers, both small and large, are locked in a fierce global battle for customers with China, Japan, Germany and others.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. today reported fiscal third quarter net income of $27.7 million, or 52 cents per share, down from $28.6 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.