Earnings Roundup: Deere, MGIC

Top stories:

ST. LOUIS (AP) Agricultural equipment maker Deere & Co. said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose 55 percent, beating Wall Street's expectations as lofty crop prices stoked global demand for its equipment.

MILWAUKEE (AP) Mortgage insurer MGIC Investment Corp. said Wednesday it lost almost $1.5 billion for the last three months of 2007 on higher home delinquencies and payouts. It also said it is looking for ways to boost its capital.

Other stories:

NEW YORK (AP) Max Capital Group Ltd., a provider of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, said Wednesday its fourth-quarter earnings fell 35 percent as costs and claims growth outpaced revenue from premiums.

MILWAUKEE (AP) Media company Journal Communications Inc. said Wednesday its fourth-quarter profit plunged 59 percent, hurt by continued declines in publishing and broadcasting revenue and by having one less week in the period.

NEW YORK (AP) Clothing retailer Jones Apparel Group Inc. on Wednesday said its fourth-quarter net loss narrowed although sales fell as Jones Apparel exited several apparel lines and posted weak holiday sales.

LUXEMBOURG (AP) Europe's two biggest steelmakers, ArcelorMittal SA and ThyssenKrupp AG, were upbeat about weathering any global downturn this year, saying Wednesday they expected strong steel demand and higher prices to cover soaring costs.