Wise denied US banking licence in blow to expansion plans July 24, 2026 Shares in Wise plunged on Friday after the firm was denied a US banking licence by regulators, setting back the payments giant in its biggest growth market just months after it switched its primary stock market listing to New York. The London-founded fintech said the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) had [...]
Brits dodge the high street as heatwave boosts online shopping July 24, 2026 Retail sales jumped in June as the heatwave and heavy discounting drove Brits towards online shopping. The volume of retail sales jumped by one per cent in June, having slowed slightly from 1.2 per cent growth in May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Online shopping grew to the largest proportion of total [...]
Almirall H1 2026 Results July 24, 2026 Almirall delivers solid H1 2026 results growing Net Sales by 7.5% and EBITDA by 23.7%, driven by its strong European Dermatology business – reiterating guidance aligned with long-term growth trajectory Net Sales increased by 7.5% YoY to €602.7 MM, while EBITDA grew by 23.7% to €150.7 MM, reflecting strong commercial and operational execution. The European Dermatology business continues to drive growth, increasing 18.1% YoY to €341.9 MM, supported by strong performance of its key growth drivers and favourable underlying market growth. Continued solid performance of the biologics portfolio, with Ilumetri® delivering 10.5% increase to €125.2 MM and Ebglyss® growing 88.2% to €84.5 MM in Net Sales, supported by sustained growth in recent launch markets. The broader dermatology portfolio delivers positive performance, including Wynzora® (19.3%, total of €20.4 MM) and Klisyri® (13.9%, total of €15.6 MM). Almirall advances its innovation strategy through progress across its R&D pipeline, including four ongoing PoC/Phase II studies and two additional PoC studies planned to be initiated by end of 2026, targeting five dermatological diseases. The first readouts are expected towards the end of 2026. Almirall signs a strategic research collaboration and licensing agreement with Certest Biotec to discover and develop novel treatments for rare dermatologic diseases and recurrent cutaneous conditions. Reiterated guidance for the full year 2026: 9-12% growth and € 270MM to € 290MM EBITDA.
A beginner’s guide to appeasing the bond market – and why it matters July 24, 2026 Britain’s enormous debt pile means the bond market now has the power to decide the fate of a government. Ali Lyon spoke to gilt investors to see how our new Chancellor can keep them happy. When John Healey was last in the Treasury, the world was a very different place. Britain’s economy was growing at [...]
Burnham accused of gutting tech department’s ‘biggest strength’ July 23, 2026 Andy Burnham’s decision to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will split up the teams it was created to bring together, according to its former top civil servant. A leaked internal government document shows AI, digital and science responsibilities being divided between three departments as ministers begin dismantling DSIT less than three [...]
Sport documentaries muddle grey area of storytelling vs reality July 23, 2026 As every sport seemingly gets its own documentary, Matt Readman assesses whether they’re meddling with reality. There is a famous rule in nature documentary filmmaking: observe, but never intervene. The moment the camera changes the behaviour of its subject, it stops documenting reality and starts creating it. Earlier this month the International Cricket Council investigated [...]
Francisco Partners Closes $21 Billion Across Flagship and Agility Funds July 23, 2026 Largest fundraise in the firm’s history brings total capital raised to more than $75 billion
Verdiva Bio Appoints Cardiometabolic Leader Steve Marso as Chief Medical Officer July 23, 2026 Steve Marso, M.D., joins Verdiva as CMO from Metsera, where he held the equivalent position, bringing valuable clinical and regulatory expertise as Verdiva continues development of a unique portfolio of once-weekly oral treatments for obesity Also from Metsera, Jason Mallory joins Verdiva as SVP, Clinical Development to lead Verdiva’s clinical trial design and execution
AI spending overshadows Alphabet and Tesla earnings July 23, 2026 Wall Street’s biggest tech companies delivered another round of strong earnings on Wednesday, but the primary focus for investors is the growing cost of the artificial intelligence race. Alphabet and Tesla beat revenue expectations, yet their shares fell in after-hours trading after both companies signalled another year of heavy spending on AI infrastructure. Google-owner Alphabet [...]
Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) Reports Q2-2026 Financial Results July 23, 2026 Low-Double Digit Revenue Growth, High-Teens EPS Growth; Raising Full-Year 2026 Outlook Quarterly Financial Highlights (All comparisons are year-over-year, unless otherwise noted) Net earnings per share (EPS) of $2.15, up 16.2% compared with $1.85; Adjusted EPS of $2.40, up 17.6% compared with $2.04 Revenues of $1,151.5 million, up 12.7% on a reported basis and up 6.9% on an organic basis Operating margin of 22.1%, compared with 21.5%; Adjusted operating margin of 24.2%, compared with 23.7%