Earnings Roundup: General Mills, Charming Shoppes

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, March 18, from AP Financial News:

MILWAUKEE (AP) — General Mills Inc. said Wednesday that its profit dropped 33 percent in the fiscal third quarter on higher costs and a stronger dollar as sales increased on the strength of some of its well-known brands.

BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) — Women's apparel retailer Charming Shoppes Inc. on Wednesday reported a wider loss for continuing operations in its fourth quarter due to a hefty decline in sales at established stores.

NEW YORK (AP) — Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC said Wednesday that lost $7.9 million in the fourth quarter primarily on increased expenses.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) — Actuant Corp. said Wednesday that profit for its fiscal second quarter plunged 85 percent as the manufacturer of motion control systems and hydraulic and electrical tools and supplies struggled with weak demand, customer shutdowns and its own inventory reductions.