By The Capital-Journal Topeka-based Westar Energy, in declaring a 33-cents per share dividend on its common stock Wednesday, also announced its intention to redeem all outstanding shares of its preferred stock on July 1, 2012.

TOPEKA, Kan., May 16, 2012 - The Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of 33 cents per share payable July 2, 2012 on the company's common stock.

The Shaw Group Inc. (NYSE: SHAW) said it has signed a new contract with Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corp. to provide maintenance and other support services to its single-unit, 1200 MW nuclear power plant northeast of Burlington, Kan.

This is a correction of the announcement from 16:00 10.05.2012 EDT. Reason for the correction: Corrected location for Maner Conference Center TOPEKA, Kan.

Initial Jobless Claims came in at 367000 still above the 350000 recessionary threshold. Import Prices fell 0.5% and our Trade Deficit rose to $51.8 billion.

By Seth Jayson, The Motley Fool Westar Energy (NYS: WR) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know. For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Westar Energy met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

The following table lists the 81 US companies that reported quarterly earnings today (end date of the quarter is noted in the last column).

By Corrie Driebusch and Drew FitsGerald Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), Avon Products Inc. (AVP) and Kohl's Corp.

Markel Corporation (NYSE:MKL) reported first-quarter net income of $57.25 million or $5.92 per share, as compared to $8.27 million or $0.85 per share last year.