Compass anticipates 'modest' organic growth
12th May 2010 07:19
Catering giant Compass expects a strong new business pipeline and a stabilisation in like for like volume to deliver modest organic revenue growth during the second half. The firm grew profit before tax by 19% to £459m during the first six months and underlying profit by 14% to £462m. Reported rev
Read moreCompass acquires French caterer
5th May 2010 13:23
Caterer Compass has increased its presence in France with the acquisition of foodservice group Caterine Restauration from Industries & Finances Partenaires for €34m. Caterine Restauration provides catering services for schools and hospitals and according to Compass 'provides an excellent platform f
Read moreThursday tips round-up: Compass, Chesnara, Topps Tiles
1st Apr 2010 06:56
It is caterer Compass's push into running more than just canteens for its customers that could provide the next leg-up. It wants to handle other support services, too, such as cleaning, laundry and reception services, and with annual cash generation of £500 million and net debt of less that £1bn,
Read moreLondon close: Up and down day for London
31st Mar 2010 17:07
The movements of the blue-chip index looked like they were being directed by the grand old Duke of York on Wednesday, with the market finishing neither up nor down. British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) was predictably outraged at the decision by telecoms regulator Ofcom to order it to make its two top
Read moreLondon afternoon: Footsie slides into negative territory
31st Mar 2010 14:09
After a bright start London has turned lower in the afternoon session in anticipation of a weak start on Wall Street. Televised sport is big news on the trading screens as telecoms regulator Ofcom ordered BSkyB to make its two top sports channels available to rivals at a 23% discount to the curren
Read moreLondon midday: Footsie drifts lower
31st Mar 2010 12:17
Footsie is now flat as investors digest a big morning for company announcements. Televised sport is big news on the trading screens as telecoms regulator Ofcom ordered BSkyB to make its two top sports channels available to rivals at a 23% discount to the current price. This was a bigger cut than
Read moreLondon open: BSkyB shrugs off Ofcom attack
31st Mar 2010 08:49
Footsie is higher in early dealings as investors digest updates from food-related stocks and big news for televised sports. Telecoms regulator Ofcom is on a collision course with BSkyB after it ordered the satellite broadcaster to make its two top sports channels available to rivals at a 23% discou
Read moreLondon pre-open: Slow start expected
31st Mar 2010 07:37
A subdued start is expected from Footsie in early dealings as investors digest updates from food-related stocks. Telecoms regulator Ofcom is on a collision course with BSkyB after it ordered the satellite broadcaster to make its two top sports channels available to rivals at a 23% discount to the c
Read moreEfficiency drive boosts Compass margins
31st Mar 2010 07:02
Catering giant Compass said it has had a good first half, with efficiency measures helping to improve margins in the face of sluggish revenues in many markets. The company, which provides catering for schools, businesses and hospitals, said revenue is expected to be broadly flat compared with the s
Read moreWednesday preview: Compass Group, Dairy Crest, Enterprise Inns
30th Mar 2010 14:12
There is a marked food theme to this week's company results, and Wednesday is no exception, with Compass Group, Dairy Crest, Hilton Food and Tate & Lyle all expected to make announcements. Compass Group releases its pre-close trading update on the last day of the month and the market will be intere
Read moreWeek Ahead: Compass Group, Dairy Crest, Tate & Lyle
26th Mar 2010 11:49
A number of food companies are bringing out figures next week which, coincidentally, is the last week of Lent, a period in which many Christians traditionally forgo rich foods. Pizza delivery firm Domino's Pizza, dairy firms Robert Wiseman and Dairy Crest, caterer Compass Group, M&S food supplier
Read moreLondon close: Glum faces as stocks slide
8th Dec 2009 16:40
A weak start on Wall Street and serious concerns about Greece's public finances and Dubai's debt restructuring ensured London ended deep in the red Tuesday. Fears over the solvency of Greece reached new levels after Fitch downgraded its outlook on the country by one rating to 'negative'. Fellow rat
Read moreLondon close: Footsie at one-week high
25th Nov 2009 16:06
Welcome results from Compass and investors' insatiable appetite for mining stocks helped London's blue chip index finish the session near the top of the day's range. A small improvement to the third quarter gross domestic product figure brought some relief. The Office of National Statistics said th
Read moreFTSE 100 movers: Compass lifted by margin gains
25th Nov 2009 15:12
Contract caterer Compass saw little growth in revenue when it declared full year results this morning, but pre-tax profit still showed a healthy rise on the back of a strong improvement in margins and currency gains. Pre-tax profit came to £773m, up from £566m last year, on sales of £13,444m, up 1
Read moreLondon afternoon: Compass leads London north
25th Nov 2009 14:01
A marginal improvement to the third quarter gross domestic product figures has lifted spirits in London, overshadowing some mixed corporate updates. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) said the UK economy shrank less than previously estimated in the third quarter, contracting by 0.3% between J
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