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North America
CNBC Finance

American Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spike

American Airlines further cut its 2026 earnings outlook, citing higher fuel costs, a sign that a jump in fares isn't enough for the U.S. airline that flies the most to fully offset this year's spike in fuel prices. American said it could post an adjusted loss per share of as much as 65 cents up to earnings per share of 65 cents this year, below the range it estimated in April between a loss of 40 cents per share up to earnings of $1.10 a share. Fuel prices have been volatile even in the few short weeks of the U.S. airline earnings season that kicked off in July, which has clouded the outlook for airlines this year. Carriers say strong demand and higher fares are helping offset some of the spike. Fuel is airlines' biggest expense after labor. For the current quarter, American said it could report an adjusted loss of between 70 cents a share and 10 cents a share, below the 28 cents a share in earnings Wall Street expected, but it forecast revenue to rise between 16% to 19%, above the the 16.6% analysts project. American CEO Robert Isom told CNBC in an interview last month that the carrier's "long-range" plan is to close the margin gap that has widened with profit leaders Delta Air Lines and United Airlines but he didn't give a timeframe for that goal. American is planning to order new wide-body aircraft this year and will add more high-yielding premium seats to older jets, Isom said. American's profit in the three months ended June 30 fell 88% from a year earlier, to $71 million, or 11 cents a share, down from $599 million, or 91 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 16.3% to $16.74 billion. Passenger revenue per available seat mile, a measure of airlines' pricing power, rose 10% from last year. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis.

American Airlines slashes 2026 earnings outlook as fuel costs spike
Europe
BBC Business

Burnham says pupils in England need clearer pathway into work

Image source, Getty ImagesByBranwen Jeffreys, Education Editor, Nathan Standley, Education reporter and Toby MannPublished27 July 2026Updated 1 hour agoChildren should be given a clearer pathway into work from the age of 14, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said as he unveils reforms that will allow pupils in England to study subjects like manufacturing and AI alongside core academic learning. The government said the courses, available from Year 10, would be linked to local jobs and industries. Data published earlier this year showed more than one million young people across the UK were not in education, employment or training, or "Neet" - the highest level in more than 12 years. While the government is describing it as a "fundamental change to the education system", there are few details behind the broad political vision. The Association of School and College Leaders, which speaks for many secondary headteachers, said they welcomed the ambition of preventing young people falling out of education or work at 16. With schools already asked to manage on tight budgets and support radical reforms to special educational needs, the union also said there was an issue of capacity. Burnham said that "for too long" students had been told to take academic subjects to "do well and be respected". "My message to young people is this - whether you choose construction, coding or classics, or maths, manufacturing or mechanics, you'll get the skills you need and be given the respect you deserve," he said. The government, he added, was delivering the "major shake-up" required to fix the youth unemployment crisis in Britain, starting with improving the availability and quality of technical education. Pupils, the government said, would be able to combine subjects such as English and maths with high-quality technical education linked to the jobs available in their area. "They will be able to spend time with employers and gain real-world experience," it said. In an Op Ed piece for the Times, external, Burnham wrote: "In the age of AI, practical and technical skills haven't become less valuable - they've become more valuable than ever. Britain will need brilliant engineers, electricians and cybersecurity experts more than ever before."

Burnham says pupils in England need clearer pathway into work
North America
CNBC Finance

Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned split

Comcast's second-quarter results on Thursday showcased strength at NBCUniversal — particularly in its TV and film units — as the company prepares to split its media and broadband businesses apart. NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock, hit profitability during the quarter for the first time, Comcast said, giving the media business a lift. The streaming service also benefitted from live sports including the FIFA World Cup and NBA postseason and brought in new subscribers. Revenue in the company's content and experiences division, which includes media unit NBCUniversal, rose almost 23% year over year. Meanwhile, it was a different story with the traditional cable and connectivity business. The company said that its shifted strategy for the broadband business is "gaining traction" following years of significant competition and pressure due to the rise of alternatives like 5G providers. But Comcast once again reported broadband customer losses for the period, and revenue for the connectivity and platforms segment notched down as its lower pricing plans and promotions took hold. The diverging storylines for broadband and media come weeks after Comcast said it would divide the two businesses into separate publicly traded companies. In Thursday's release co-CEOs Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh called the split "an important step toward creating two focused companies with the financial strength and flexibility to pursue their respective growth strategies." Revenue for the connectivity and platforms segment, which includes the Xfinity-branded broadband, mobile and cable TV offerings, was down 3% to $19.8 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the unit dropped nearly 6% to $7.96 billion. Comcast lost 167,000 total broadband residential customers and 280,000 cable TV subscribers during the quarter. Mobile remained a bright spot with additions that once again marked a record quarter and brought its total to 10.2 million lines. Mobile has become a major driver and key part of Comcast's strategy to boost the broadband business. The content and experiences segment that houses NBCUniversal's TV, film and theme parks, saw revenue of $10.73 billion, boosted by the impact of the FIFA World Cup that began in mid-June and was aired in Spanish in the U.S. on the company's Telemundo network. Revenue for the TV media unit in particular benefitted from Peacock and an increase in advertising, and film studio revenue rose 25%. Theme parks revenue was up nearly 3% as softness at international parks offset higher revenue in Orlando. Overall revenue for Comcast was down 1.2% during the second quarter to $29.94 billion. On a pro-forma basis, accounting for the impact of Comcast's Versant spinoff that was completed at the start of the year, the company said quarterly revenue was 4.7% higher. Comcast reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.04, topping Wall Street estimates of 97 cents, according to LSEG.

Comcast earnings highlight NBCUniversal strength ahead of planned split
Europe
BBC Business

Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?

While paper or cardboard packaging might on its own be recyclable, the presence of a label, a seal or a coating can negate that. That's because non-recyclable adhesives, or "stickies" as they are known as in the industry, can cause damage to recycling machinery, make the resulting batch of recycled paper inferior, or even cause a batch of paper to be recycled to be rejected, according to scientists, external at NC State University. And that's a shame as paper is one of the most recycled materials in Europe - with around 74% of paper and board consumed in 2024 being recycled. In August, a new Europe-wide packaging, external and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) kicks in ordering that all packaging should be minimum 70% recyclable by 2030, rising to 80% from 2038. In addition, German law will also, external require stricter reporting and licensing fees. So, tackling stickies would be helpful. One solution has been to develop water soluble adhesives, external. That's the idea that three firms from Germany - Fraunhofer, Hermann Ultraschall, and Henkel - have come up with. It's no coincidence they are all German, as the country is known for its Packaging Valley, external, a hub for the packaging industry. Their efforts to innovate are partly a bid to satisfy ever tightening regulation around commercial recycling, and rising fines for those who fall foul. With that in mind, German research organisation Fraunhofer established the PAPURE project in 2023 to develop a laser-based heating process that can seal paper packaging without an adhesive at all. From September, when the project is set to officially close, Fraunhofer hopes to find an industry partner to take the technology to market. Fraunhofer researchers exhibited their work at the Interpack packaging trade show in Dusseldorf in May, and are hopeful that the interest they attracted will come to fruition. "There are not really many paper sealing technologies without any foreign materials, so it's a great technology and we feel it's likely that we can bring it to market," says researcher group leader Fabian Kayatz. Also in 2023, engineering firm Hermann Ultraschall bought the rights to develop a patented ultrasonic paper sealing technology, a process which it likens to welding.

Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?
North America
Yahoo Finance

Dyadic Announces Continued Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market

JUPITER, Fla., July 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dyadic International, Inc. (Nasdaq: DYAI) (“Dyadic” or the “Company”), d/b/a Dyadic Applied BioSolutions, a biotechnology company developing recombinant protein solutions across the life sciences, food and nutrition, bio-industrial and biopharmaceutical markets, today announced that Nasdaq has confirmed that the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules 5550(a)(2) and 5550(b). The Company’s common stock continues to be listed and t

Dyadic Announces Continued Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market
North America
CNBC Finance

Boom in tech wealth is fueling record prices for dinosaur bones, art and watches, auction houses say

The major auction houses racked up nearly $10 billion in sales in the first half, marking one of the strongest-ever starts to the year as the wealthy gained confidence from soaring financial stock markets. Sotheby's reported its best first half ever, with $4.4 billion in sales, up 58% from last year and marking a record for the 282-year-old auction house. Christie's had its best first half since 2021, reporting sales of $4.5 billion, up 71%. Phillips, Heritage and other auctioneers also had breakout starts to the year. There were eight lots that sold for more than $50 million in the first half, compared with none in 2024 and 2025, according to Artnet. Auction executives and dealers say the explosive rebound in the art market, following nearly three years of declines, is being driven largely by the massive wealth creation from the artificial intelligence boom, IPOs and rising stocks. "The numbers mean there is confidence in the market," Christie's CEO Bonnie Brennan said at the Christie's Art + Tech Summit last week. "There are people willing to sell great objects and there are people spending great amounts of money to acquire those special one-of-one works." Added Sotheby's CEO Charles Stewart: "The wealth being created now is the number one factor in our business right now. It's obviously very visible when you sit here in New York and talk about the SpaceX IPO and these different tech IPOs coming and the AI fever." While the dollar totals are being driven largely by a select group of hyper-priced works at the very top of the market, the strength is across the board, in almost all price points and almost every category. Fine art, classic cars, watches, handbags, diamonds, whiskey and even dinosaur bones are all seeing new records. Leading the first half was a Jackson Pollock drip painting, titled "Number 7A, 1948," which sold for $181 million at Christie's. The work, considered one of Pollock's most epic and defining works, had previously been owned by media magnate and collector S.I. Newhouse, which added to its appeal. A Brancusi sculpture also previously owned by Newhouse went for $107.6 million. A new wave of younger collectors, many from the tech world, is also redefining collectibles. In classic cars, 1950s and 1960s sports cars used to dominate the price charts. Now supercars from the 1990s and 2000s are the hottest sellers. Watches are gaining in popularity among tech bros. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo reported $235 million in watch auctions in the first half, marking its largest ever. The strong bidding stretched across its auctions in New York, Geneva and Hong Kong. While Patek Philippe remains strong, young collectors are battling over pieces from more rarified, independent brands. The priciest watch sold in the first half was an F.P. Journe Souscription Résonance, which went for $13.9 million. Mark Zuckerberg has become one of the most high-profile devotees of F.P. Journe in recent years, and has sported seven-figure F.P. Journes in public. Brennan said 30% of the buyers in the first half were new to Christie's, with 47% of them millennials or younger, and that 85% of bids were placed online.

Boom in tech wealth is fueling record prices for dinosaur bones, art and watches, auction houses say
Europe
BBC Business

Is it safe to travel to France and Spain right now?

Wildfires in Spain and France have caused mass evacuation and disruption, with more than 300,000 people forced to leave their homes and many sleeping in sports halls and other temporary shelters. An official from one of the French departments affected by the fires has pleaded with visitors to stay away. On Sunday, Sophie Brocas, prefect of the French department of Gironde, said, "I urge tourists not to come," while advising those already there to consider an alternative destination. For those who have upcoming holidays to the affected regions, here is what you should know about how it might impact your plans. The UK government has not specifically warned against travel to anywhere in France or Spain, but it does advise caution. In France, it says access to affected areas may be restricted and roads may close at short notice. It adds that further evacuations may take place. It has also issued a general warning about the high risk of wildfires in France during the summer season from April to October. For those in an affected area in France or Spain or planning to travel there, the UK government recommends following instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times. Travellers should also bear in mind the UK government's advice can and does change in response to moving events. Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at financial rating firm Defaqto, says that if this happens after you have booked your trip, "you may be covered for cancellation or curtailment". "You may also be covered for additional travel and accommodation costs should your trip be disrupted due to a catastrophic event, if your insurer offers this cover or you've paid to include it," she adds. The UK government says parts of Gironde and Landes in the south west of France are affected.

Is it safe to travel to France and Spain right now?
Europe
BBC Business

Cracker Barrel chief executive steps down a year after rebrand chaos

Image source, Getty ImagesByFrancisco VelasquezBusiness reporter, Reporting fromNew YorkPublished27 July 2026Cracker Barrel's chief executive is quitting a year after the company faced a widespread backlash over its controversial rebrand. The restaurant chain said on Monday Julie Masino will leave in August, with the former boss of Bloomin' Brands, David Deno, taking over. Its rebrand sparked a national controversy, with critics including President Trump, who urged the chain to restore its original logo after critics accused it of abandoning its heritage. Masino did not issue a statement about her resignation, but Cracker Barrel's management thanked her for her tenure. Masino will be paid an estimated $4.6m as part of a departure package, according to the company's 8-K filing, external. Cracker Barrel declined to comment, referring the BBC instead to the filing. The leadership change comes after a turbulent period for the business, which runs nearly 660 country-themed store and restaurants sites across 44 US states. Plans to simplify the classic logo and modernise store interiors sparked fierce resistance from loyal diners who argued the changes stripped away the brand's nostalgic Southern charm. It follows a similar uproar in 2022 when Cracker Barrel faced online backlash from some customers after adding plant-based sausages to its breakfast menu. Such controversies highlight the delicate balance facing brands hoping to attract younger audiences without alienating their core, longstanding customer base. Critics described the latest rebrand as "soulless" and "generic". Jo-Ellen Pozner, an associate professor at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, said the leadership swap "seems to reflect the polarization many Americans feel today". She added that doubling down on conservative values may help win back vocal loyalists but "paints the company into a corner". "Changing anything about the menu, decor, or branding at this point is dangerous, so there are few levers to attract new customers," Pozner said.

Cracker Barrel chief executive steps down a year after rebrand chaos
Europe
BBC Business

Trump vows to investigate EU over fining of US tech companies

Image source, ReutersImage caption, US President Donald Trump has taken issue with European regulators in the past. Donald Trump says the US will launch an investigation into the European Union and threatened a fresh tariff over fines handed to some of the biggest American tech companies. It comes days after the European Commission fined Google €890m ($1bn) for operating in a way that squeezed out competitors to its services. In a post to Truth Social, which Trump owns, the US president said the EU would pay a "very big price" over how it had treated Google, along with other major US tech companies Apple, Meta, and Amazon, which have also been investigated. Trump said any fines should be "entirely reversed" and that he was initiating a trade investigation of the EU while considering "a substantial TARIFF". He added that the US would "immediately initiate a 301 investigation" over European regulators' alleged practice of "robbing American companies and, in turn, the American taxpayer". Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, external gives The Office of the United States Trade Representative the power to react and investigate trade practices believed to be unfair. The second Trump Administration has launched several such investigations, external since last year. The tariff threat comes just one day after Trump announced new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including the EU, UK and China, of between 10% and 12.5%. Trump also last month threatened a 100% import tariff on any European country that introduces a digital services tax on American technology giants, despite many such nations already doing so, external for years. Major tech companies, including Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon, have donated millions of dollars to funds behind Trump's campaign and presidency. José Castañeda, a spokesman for Google, told the BBC the company had "worked hard to comply" with Europe's Digital Markets Act but had "expressed our concerns about the impact of recent EC decisions". "We appreciate the engagement by the administration and US government," Castañeda added.

Trump vows to investigate EU over fining of US tech companies