Newry, Co Down-based consumer foods producer Around Noon is looking for further acquisitions in the UK following its purchase of the UK-focused ‘Chef in a Box’ premium snack business from Donegal Investment Group for an undisclosed sum.

The North's top companies have bucked wider economic trends to record an overall increase in sales in the last year, new figures have indicated.

Soaring grain prices could force food shortages as farmers go out of business, the North's Agriculture minister said today.

Fund manager Henderson Group said today it was preparing for a tougher second half to the year as market volatility is expected to hit investment levels.