Shares of Sodexo, the world's second largest caterer, fell Tuesday after the company warned 2010 will be difficult and clients are delaying signing new contracts. Michel Landel, CEO of Sodexo, spoke to CNBC about the outlook.

"We do need more competition in the banking sector," Lord Norman Lamont, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, told CNBC Tuesday. "I know we haven't got it right yet," he said.

The UK's trade deficit widened to an eight-month high in September as the number of imported cars rose sharply. Neil MacKinnon from VTB Capital spoke to CNBC about the outlook for the UK and sterling.

Vodafone's third-quarter earnings were quite good given the current operating conditions, Emeka Obiodu from Ovum told CNBC Tuesday. But the cell-phone firm's emerging-market strategy has not brought the strong growth expected, he added.

Cell-phone company Vodafone posted earnings in-line with expectations for the first half Tuesday and extended its cost-cutting scheme. CFO Andy Halford told CNBC the market is still "pretty tough."

Gold-mining company Randgold Resources swung to a third-quarter profit Tuesday, but saw continuing rises in costs. CEO Mark Bristow told CNBC that the cost pressures should ease next year.

Austrian energy group OMV posted better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter Tuesday. CEO Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer told CNBC that refining margins will remain steady for the next couple of months.

German genetic-test specialist Qiagen beat forecasts with its third-quarter results and slightly upped its full-year outlook Tuesday. "We're seeing growth across the board," CEO Peer Schatz told CNBC.