The Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health with experts from EU countries met to approve the series of tests proposed by agriculture ministers earlier this week as the horsemeat controversy widened further yesterday.

A raft of economic data from the US and China fuelled fears over the global economic recovery today and hit confidence on the London market.

The FTSE 100 Index finished in the red today but that did not prevent it enjoying its best September for 13 years.

Dismal housing data from the US fuelled fears of a slowdown in global economic recovery today, rattling investor confidence and triggering a slump in stock markets.

Strong gains on Wall Street helped limit losses for under-pressure BP today as the wider FTSE 100 Index also pulled back from early heavy falls.

Hopes for debt-laden Greece helped buoy investor sentiment today and drive blue chip stocks higher.

The FTSE 100 Index ran out of steam today as investors paused for breath in the face of mixed economic news on both sides of the Atlantic.

RESTAURANTS will no longer be able to include 69 fish species on their menus after contract caterers said it will no longer provide them due to fears of over-fishing.

The London market capped its tenth consecutive day of gains today after investors pushed ahead with the strongest rally for the market in more than five years.

The London market broke its three-day losing streak today as strong gains from oil and commodity stocks offset another dire session for banks and property firms.

London’s leading share index fell nearly 2% into the red today after a flurry of bad retail news and deepening gloom for housebuilders frayed nerves.

Weaker oil and energy stocks after falling crude prices saw the FTSE 100 Index end a volatile session in the red today.

London’s FTSE 100 Index fell more than 1% today after inflation concerns and a poor opening session in New York dampened sentiment.

The London market held firm above the 6700 barrier today as hopes of a cut in US interest rates offset falls in the housebuilding sector.

The London market staged a rally today as investors shrugged off recent economic concerns to pick up bargains following the recent heavy losses.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle saw its shares enjoy a late surge today on rumours of possible bid interest from Heineken or Carlsberg.

The UK benchmark index enjoyed a late rally today after benefiting from a strong surge in mining company shares.

Compass Group Plc, which has a strong presence across the Republic of Ireland through its Eurest workplace catering operation, has announced its preliminary results for the year ending September 30, 2006.

London’s leading shares ended their worst month for more than three years with solid gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index made steady gains today as traders in London started the week in buoyant mood.

Catering giant Compass is to sell its travel services operation which includes the Upper Crust and Moto chains for £1.82bn (€2.6bn).

Strong gains for mining, oil and banking stocks powered the FTSE 100 Index back above the 6000 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a tentative start to move back within touching distance of the 5800 barrier today.

Catering giant Compass today said an investigation had uncovered “serious irregularities” in the way United Nations contracts were awarded.

The London market had the 5600 threshold firmly in its sights tonight after hopes of an early cut in interest rates ensured a fourth positive session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index saw hopes of its highest finish in four years extinguished today by news that the United States had stockpiled more oil than traders thought.

The FTSE 100 Index closed just short of a fresh four-year high today after a rally breathed new life into shares.

The London market ended the week camped in positive territory after investors shook off fresh gloom in the DIY sector today.

The FTSE 100 Index racked up its fourth straight session of gains today despite dismay at the latest development in the O2 takeover.

The biggest takeover of a UK company for five years and a rush of other bid activity drove the FTSE 100 Index beyond the 5300 barrier today.

The United Nations has suspended a subsidiary of British catering giant Compass as a supplier for the world body amid an investigation into a food-for-peacekeepers contract scandal.

Surging oil and mining stocks put some gloss on an otherwise lacklustre session for the London market today.

Marks & Spencer dominated trading in London today after posting a surprise pick-up in sales and announcing the departure of the creator of its Per Una range.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered its heaviest daily fall since the July terrorist attacks today as investors fretted over losses in New York.

A string of upbeat corporate announcements today helped the FTSE 100 Index to begin one of the busiest weeks in the trading calendar in the black.

The London market held its nerve today to secure its best finish since the summer of 2002.

The London market ended today back above the 5000 level after investors took heart from news about US interest rates.

Eurest has won a €5m contract to provide the catering services at Fota Wildlife Park in east Cork.

Investors displayed a fresh hunger for blue-chip stocks today despite a profits slump at the world’s largest foodservices firm.

Compass Group has announced half year turnover up 6% to £6,191m (€8,994m) but profits have slipped 7.9%.

Musgrave Foodservices has announced it has signed a €30m three-year contract with Eurest Ireland, which provides catering services to the business, industrial and state sectors.

London shares wrapped up a fifth consecutive session of gains today as the festive fervour showed no signs of slackening.

The London market struggled to stay above the 4700 barrier today after renewed weakness in the US dollar compounded some disappointing corporate results.

Compass Group, the world’s largest food-service organisation, has announced its preliminary results for the year ending September 30, 2004.