U.S. Bancorp earnings up 26 percent in Q1: First-quarter profits were up 26 percent for U.S. Bancorp as the banking company reported improved revenues — with provisions for credit losses falling to their lowest levels since the financial panic first hit in the fourth quarter of 2008. Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank reported net income of $669 million, or 34 cents per share, for the first quarter, up from earnings of $529 million, or 24 cents per share, for the same quarter a year before. Results were in line with analysts' consensus forecast of 34 cents per share. Read full story 

Exiting Analysts Intl. CEO got $551k: Elmer Baldwin, who resigned as CEO and president of Analysts International Corp. in December after pressure from the company's board of directors, received $551,080 in total compensation from the company, up 1.6 percent from what he received in 2008. Baldwin's salary in 2009 was $467,308, up from $450,000 in the previous year. Read full story 

Analyst: Volcano delays could cost Delta millions: Volcanic ash lingering over Europe has cost Delta Air Lines Inc. up to $10.4 million in lost revenue a day, according to Robert Herbst, an airline analyst, pilot and founder of AirlineFinancial.com. Analyst Herbst estimates that the five U.S. carriers with operations in Europe are losing about $35.8 million in revenue per day. Read full story

Oceanaire to be bought by Landry's Restaurants: Landry’s Restaurants Inc. has agreed to buy The Oceanaire Inc. upscale seafood chain out of bankruptcy. Houston-based Landry’s would pay Oceanaire’s creditors $6.6 million — or roughly “80 cents on the dollar,” according to Oceanaire CEO Terry Ryan — and take on approximately $17 million in remaining debt. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court will rule next week on whether the sale can proceed. Read full story