EARNINGS

Other earnings, excluding one-time gains and charges, unless noted:

* General Mills Inc., maker of Cheerios and other popular cereals, said its profit rose 6.8% in the fiscal second quarter to $175.9 million, or $1.12 a share, a penny higher than forecasts, as it cut costs and boosted cereal sales. Revenue rose 2.4% to $1.68 billion at the company, whose other products include Betty Crocker baking mixes and Pop Secret popcorn. U.S. cereal sales rose 5% even as many of the industry’s top brands are struggling to hold on to market share.

* A.G. Edwards Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 6% to $68 million, or 70 cents a diluted share, but still two cents better than analysts had expected, as volatile markets hurt its commissions. The St. Louis-based securities brokerage said revenue edged down to $524 million from $527 million. Commissions fell 9% and trading revenue was down 2%, but revenue from asset management and fees rose 21%.