Shares in IT consulting group Logicacmg (LON:LOG) dipped by nearly 1% to 135p in early trading despite better news on revenues and a notably strong performance by its Outsourcing Services division, which saw sales rise by 11%. Overall sales in the first quarter were down 2% on the same period last year but better than the average 4% decline in the previous three quarters. Chief executive Andy Green, said the group had seen particularly strong demand in France and continued revenue growth in the UK balancing the continuing difficult market conditions in the Benelux and to a lesser extent, Sweden.

Mining group Xstrata Plc (LON:XTA) buoyed investors with news that year-on-year production volumes had increased across all of its commodity businesses during the first quarter of the year. Ferrochrome production rose by more than 300% and producers achieved a 35% increase in the second quarter European benchmark price to $1.36 per pound. Elsewhere, Total coal production increased by 9% to 21.7 million tonnes, mined copper production was 3% higher, refined nickel production increased by 8% and zinc in concentrate production increased by 15%. Xstrata’s shares were trading up 1.15% at 1012.5p

Foodservice specialist Compass Group (LON:CPG) said it had snapped up French company Caterine Restauration from investors led by Industries & Finances Partenaires. The deal gives Compass access to a significant player in the foodservice industry in France, which specialises in servicing the Education and Healthcare sectors. The group said it would use the acquisition as a platform to grow in those sectors and would benefit from many synergies within its existing foodservice business.

High street fashion retailer Next (LON:NXT) sounded a note of caution in its first quarter update, warning that Government efforts to reduce the budget deficit would inevitably impact on consumer spending later this year. However, sales of its Next brand rose by 4.1% and Directory sales were up 7.2% in the early part of this year. In addition, internal profit before tax forecasts for the full year are towards the top end of the range of current City forecasts, most of which fall between £525m and £565m. The company’s shares fell by nearly 4% to 2168p.

Finally, business software group Sage Group (LON:SGE) reported a strong increase in profitability in the half-year to…

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