Package delivery company FedEx Wednesday forecast a weak fiscal 2009 after posting a quarterly loss it blamed on rising fuel prices, an ailing U.S. economy and a previously announced write-down.

Chief executives from around Europe discussed their companies' earnings, opportunities and the challenges they face in 2008 with CNBC Europe Monday.

Sodexo, the French food and facilities management services group, said on Wednesday fiscal first-half sales rose 9.2 percent on an underlying basis.

European stocks closed broadly higher Wednesday, despite a warning from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the U.S. economy was set to shrink and a recession was possible.

Package delivery company FedEx on Thursday reported a higher-than-expected third-quarter net profit but forecast fourth-quarter results below estimates, citing soaring fuel prices and slowing U.S. economic growth.

Pest control to parcel delivery firm Rentokil Initial is parachuting in the management team that turned around chemicals group ICI in a bid to recover from two profit warnings that have hammered its shares. 

Euro zone services growth staged a partial comeback in February, in line with an earlier estimate, though a sharp divide in growth rates within the bloc poses a problem for the European Central Bank.

Recruitment firm Adecco's fourth-quarter net profit fell 29 percent but the decline was less than analysts' expectations, and the Swiss-based staffing company said it sees good growth rates in Europe.

Pest control to parcel delivery group Rentokil faced calls for a sale or break up, after a second profit warning in as many months sent its shares plunging over a quarter to 16-year lows on Thursday.

Euro zone services growth slumped significantly below forecasts to a rate not seen in over four years this month, but manufacturing growth remained unchanged from December, a key survey showed on Wednesday.

Starbucks Corp is testing $1 coffees and free refills, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, as the global coffee chain faces increasing competition from fast-food rivals.