"Russia going forward is a country on a knife-edge," Jochen Wermuth, founder of the Greater Europe Fund, told CNBC Monday. Political leaders in Russia have to decide whether to face up to corruption and lawlessness, he added.
US consumers spent nearly 8% less per person this year over the black Friday shopping period, compared to last year, according to the NRF. "The good news is, even though shoppers were spending less, there were more people there," Natalie Berg from Planetretail told CNBC.
Compass Group beat expectations with its full-year earnings Wednesday after an extensive cost-cutting strategy helped the catering group's bottom line. "The revenue outlook is flattish … but we would expect to grow the margins again," CEO Richard Cousins told CNBC.
Recession-wary consumers are regaining their appetite for ready-meals, according Greencore. Patrick Coveney, CEO of Greencore, told CNBC the outlook for the Irish food company was improving.
Heinz profit fell 16 percent, but the company beat analyst estimates on emerging-market growth. William Johnson, chairman and CEO of Heinz, talks to CNBC.