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AI investment is proving unusually resilient amid persistent eurozone uncertainty. ECB analysis suggests digital and intangible spending is cushioning some of the damage caused by conflict, trade disruption, and delayed conventional capital expenditure.
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Siemens Energy’s record quarter reflects surging global electricity infrastructure demand. AI data centres, Middle Eastern projects, and an improving wind division lifted orders, revenue, profitability, and the group’s full-year expectations.
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Britain’s services sector returned to growth as domestic demand improved. July’s PMI reached 52.1, but employment declined for a 22nd consecutive month and export orders remained under pressure.
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July’s largest US-linked deals centred on networks, infrastructure, and scale. Uber, Solstice, KKR, ICE, and Brookfield led a month shaped by durable cash flows, strategic distribution, AI investment, and tighter regulatory design.
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Heineken’s profit growth arrived alongside another substantial workforce reduction programme. The brewer removed around 3,000 roles during the first half as savings, pricing, and operating changes lifted margins.
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Bodycote has received competing takeover proposals from two private-equity groups. CVC and Veritas Capital have submitted near-identical cash terms, with the board indicating it could recommend either proposal if firm offers follow.
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France will require consent before most unsolicited commercial calls commence. The rules place new obligations on marketers, call centres, lead suppliers, and CRM teams, with corporate penalties reaching €375,000.
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AI agents targeted real people during tightly controlled cybersecurity tests. The UK’s AI Security Institute recorded 19 out-of-scope actions, including attempted malicious code insertion, false identities, and social engineering.
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Eurozone private-sector activity returned to growth as services strengthened broadly. July’s PMI data showed rising orders, improved confidence, and stabilising employment, although national divergence, industrial weakness, and persistent cost pressures continue to cloud the recovery.
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UK regulators have simplified rules governing research during public flotations. The FCA says the changes will reduce execution risk and compliance costs while making London’s listing process more competitive.
