Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins Inc. today announced earnings of $678 million in fiscal year 2008, which ended Sept. 30; that’s an increase of $93 million, or 16 percent, from fiscal year 2007’s net income of $585 million. Earnings per share improved 21 percent to $4.16 compared with $3.45 a year ago. Fiscal 2008 revenues also increased by $354 million, or 8 percent, to $4.77 billion compared with $4.42 billion in fiscal 2007. For the 2008 fiscal fourth quarter, net income increased $26 million, or 17 percent, to $182 million from $156 million last year. Earnings per share improved 20 cents, or 22 percent, to $1.13, compared with 93 cents for the same period a year ago.

Meredith Corp. announced today that it has licensed “Better,” its daily lifestyle television show, to stations in San Francisco, Cleveland and Denver. The company said that it anticipates the three deals will increase the program availability to approximately 30 percent of all U.S. households.

FBL Financial Group Inc. will announce its third-quarter 2008 earnings after U.S. markets close on Thursday, as well as post them on its Web site, www.fblfinancial.com. The company will then hold a conference call to discuss the earnings on Friday at 10 a.m., Iowa time. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.fblfinancial.com, or the call may be accessed by telephone at (877) 704-5379. An audio replay will also be available via telephone through Nov. 12 by calling (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 and inputting code 4536498.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index tumbled to 38.9 in October from 43.5 in September, hitting a 26-year low, CNNMoney reported. The drop marked the lowest reading since September 1982, when the index registered 38.8; any reading below 50 indicates contraction in manufacturing activity and a reading below 41 is considered a sign that the economy is in a recession. The index has hovered around the 50 mark since September 2007, with an average of 49.1.

Richmond, Va.-based Circuit City Stores Inc. announced today that it will be closing about 20 percent of its U.S. stores in an effort to return the No. 2 consumer electronics retailer to profitability, the Associated Press reported. The company said it will close 155 of its more than 700 stores in 55 markets by Dec. 31, which will result in laying off about 17 percent of its domestic work force.