Sodexo serves up FY beat, shares rise

** Shares in Sodexo EXHO.PA are up 6% after the French food caterer delivered better-than-expected FY results, and confirmed its 2027 targets

** FY revenue rose to €23.96 billion ($26.86 billion), above the €23.78 billion seen in consensus

** Underlying operating profit fell 28.9% to €810 million, but beat the €787 million analysts expected

** Jefferies says Q4 organic growth of 2.6% was well above the 0.4% in consensus estimate and North America was flat versus the -2.9% expected

** It adds that free cash flow of €379 million beat its €283 million forecast

** Including the session's rise, the stock is up 35% YTD