Compiled by Laura Slattery

"Companies talk about strategic investments, but if you hear the word 'strategic', watch out; it means: 'You shouldn't expect a return on your investment, at least not as long as I'm chief executive officer'."

- Luc Vandevelde, head of private equity group Change Capital and former chairman of Marks & Spencer, rues the fact that a good strategy isn't the same thing as a good profit.

The cost per barrel of Brent crude oil, which hit a nine-month high yesterday.

Marks & Spencer's estimated sales in the Republic last year, as "celebration and indulgence" foods and children's wear helped the retailer to a nine-year profit high.

The average annual cost of employing a cleaner or housekeeper for the 45 hours that working mothers spend on unpaid domestic chores, according to research by Hibernian Life.

"I think the description is really derogatory of the employees themselves. It indicates that the jobs they do are worthless and anybody could walk in off the streets and do them. We value people who are skilled craftsmen . . . but not people in the service industry."

- Labour MP Clive Betts on the word "McJob", popularised by Generation X author Douglas Coupland and defined by the OED as "an unstimulating low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector". McDonald's has launched a petition to get the definition changed.

Martha Lane Fox

The co-founder of Lastminute.com has returned to the business world by joining Marks & Spencer as a non-executive director, three years after the car crash that nearly killed her. Lastminute.com was sold for €577 million in 2005

McCambridges

The purveyors of brown bread were finally given access to the books of Inter Link, the UK bakery group that it is trying to take over.

Eircom workers

Former and current employees of the telecoms company who belong to the Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) will receive an average windfall of €5,500 as the trust gears up to distribute €80 million to its 14,600 members.

Corporate conspirators

Former Coca-Cola executive assistant Joya Williams was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiring to steal trade secrets and sell them to rival Pepsi.

Investors in China

Former US Federal Reserve chairman and market mover Alan Greenspan said he expected a "dramatic contraction" in Chinese share values, saying the recent boom was "clearly unsustainable".

Fyffes

The banana company issued a profit warning, reducing its forecast on earnings before interest and tax in 2007 from €20 million to €15 million.