World's biggest building supplies company sees US strength, but Europe slowing

EG Solutions, the back office optimisation software company, has announced that it secured a further services contract from an existing UK enterprise customer in the financial services sector for the value of approximately £340,000, which will appear in the current financial year results.

Babcock International Group, an engineering support services company, believes that it is well placed to gain from the size of its business, the width of its experience and track record of delivering operational and financial effectiveness in the current economic environment.

Compass Group, the contract foodservice and support services group, has recently secured 'A-' long-term corporate credit rating from Standard and Poor's and remains very optimistic about the opportunities to grow the business.

Aggreko has agreed a potential £160m acquisition of Brazil's Poit Energia.

easyJet, an European airline carrier, anticipates its first half financial performance for the year to go beyond the guidance set in its first quarter of the year.

A G Barr sees solid performance in UK soft drinks market; posts 6.2% rise in full year profits.

A G Barr, the manufacturer, distributor and seller of soft drinks, expects like-for-like total sales in the final quarter to be more than 12 per cent ahead of the previous year and said it is on track to meet expectations for 2012.

MITIE Group, the strategic outsourcing and energy services company, had a positive financial year so far driven by the award and retention of a number of significant contracts, which strengthen its strategy to invest in its integrated facilities and energy management capabilities.

Retailers’ end-of-year results see differing visions for the future of shopping

NEXT PLC, the Britain's second-largest clothing retailer, has delivered a solid performance in sales and profits combined with exceptional advances in earnings per share and dividends even in a difficult year.

Kingfisher, the home improvement retailer, has reported a rise of 3.3 percent in its sales for the FY 2011 on a constant currency basis and rose 3.6 percent to £10.8 billion on a reported rate basis sales.

Premier Oil, a leading FTSE 250 independent exploration and production company, has reported its record after-tax profits of US$171.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2011, up from US$129.8 million in 2010. Operating cash flows increased by 11.4 per cent to US$485.9 million, up from US$436.0 million in 2010.

Wolseley, the specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products, is expected to report an increased half yearly earnings with a more bullish outlook for the U.S. housing market on March 27.

NEXT PLC, the Britain's second-largest clothing retailer expects to deliver its FY2011 earnings in line with the previous guidance on Thursday with an approximate increase of 4 percent in its profit before tax at the range of £558-572 million.

J Sainsbury, the Britain's third-biggest supermarket group, has reported that its total sales for the fourth quarter rose 4.6 percent (5.1 per cent excluding fuel) beating analysts' forecasts as it won market share from rivals.

IQE, the leading global semiconductor materials maker, has reported that its full year revenues for the period ended on December 31, 2011 increased 4 percent to £75.3 million.

Ted baker, the British designer brand, has reported a rise of 14.9 percent in its revenues for the year ended January 28, 2012 at £215.6 million, compared to £187.7 million in the previous year. The group's profit before tax increased by 0.1 percent to £24.3 million and basic earnings per share rose by 1.7 percent to 42.2 pence.

Kingfisher, the home improvement retailer is keen on to re-position its business as the industry leader and expects to deliver FY profits in line with analysts' expectations for the year ended January 28, 2012 on Thursday.

Cairn Energy, the independent oil, gas exploration and production company has reported a record profit after tax of $4.6 billion for the year ended 31 December, 2011 with a cash balance of $4.7 billion.

Debenhams, the leading multi-channel retailer, has reported an increase of 1.4% in its H1 gross transactions, mainly driven by the successful winter sale as well as an encouraging start to the new season.

Brady, a commodity risk management software provider, has reported a rise of 72 per cent in its full year revenue to £19.16 million, up from £11.12 million in 2010, including an increase in recurring revenues of 147 per cent to £9.79 million.

One in four of Spain's working population out of work with jobless numbers hitting record 4.42 million.

After 48 hours of political deadlock, Greece will name its new prime minster by the end of the day after the outgoing premier, George Papandreou, and opposition leader, Antonis Samaras, reached a consensus with the country’s president Carolos Papoulias yesterday evening.

The UK has a 70 per cent chance of a double dip recession should Greece decide to leave the eurozone and subsequently default its debts, a thinktank has said.

Shares in Burberry were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the luxury fashion retailer reported a rise in revenue in the first half ended 30 September 2011.

BP Announce Profits but Decline in Production Puts Chief Executive Under Pressure

Shares in Whitbread were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the group reported a rise in sales in the 13 weeks ended 2 June.

Shares in J Sainsbury were up on the FTSE 100 after the supermarket chain reported a rise in sales in the first quarter ended 11 June.

Shares in Tesco were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the supermarket giant reported a "subdued" set of results for the first quarter ended 28 May.