Contract catering specialist Compass Group is set to reignite investor interest after a flurry of analyst reports suggesting that outsourced catering is witnessing a renaissance

The company, which supplies food services to businesses in more than 50 countries, has been upgraded in a host of analyst reports following the company’s last results.

It would suggest that the group could well be suited to investors looking for a balance of income and growth while not wanting to stray from the large cap arena.

Compass’ final results in November 2009 came ahead of expectations with over a 35 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £773 million.

The dividend was increased by 10 per cent to 31.2 pence. Added to this, the management and performance programme has helped transform the business by cutting costs, improving margins and exiting underperforming countries.

Nick Raynor, investment adviser at retail stockbroker, The Share Centre, said that Compass offers an excellent opportunity to longer-term investors although new investors should note that it is currently trading ex-dividend.

He explained, ‘Almost 45 per cent of its revenue is derived from the US with Europe accounting for approximately 25 per cent, the UK 14 per cent and the rest of the world 17 per cent.

'We believe the group has long term attractions for investors looking for a balance of income and growth.’

Compass UK and Ireland curently has a turnover of nearly £2 billion with employee numbers totalling 52,000 across 7,000 client business sites.