Investment bankers said they are already seeing a clear uptick in enquiries for initial public offerings (IPOs) from European industrial companies, particularly in auto components, speciality chemicals and clean energy, especially after the trade deal. More notably, the vibrant domestic fund-raising market – where multinational companies have been able to sell shares at eye-popping valuations in the last two years – is also encouraging them to explore domestic listings.

According to bankers, German auto components firm MAHLE GmbH and Swedish gaming company Modern Times Group, through its Indian mobile gaming subsidiary PlaySimple are preparing to file draft red herring prospectuses (DRHPs) with the market regulator for proposed IPOs soon. Danish brewer Carlsberg is also contemplating an IPO. Emails sent to the companies remained unanswered.

Agencies

Auto parts, specialty chem & clean energy cos among those keen to unlock value

This week, Italian giant Bonfiglioli Transmissions filed a DRHP for a ₹2,000 crore IPO. Last year, German Green Steel & Power received Sebi nod to go ahead with the IPO and will be launching its IPO soon. SAEL Industries, an Indian renewable energy firm backed by Norwegian state-run fund Norfund, filed papers in November 2025 for an ₹4,575 crore IPO.
“The emerging interest from European industrial, auto-component and clean-energy firms signals a deeper level of confidence in India’s regulatory architecture, disclosure standards and institutional investor base,” said Bhavesh Shah, managing director and head – Investment Banking, Equirus Capital. “It is the growing base of the domestic institutional investors that is triggering this trend.”

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Shah said if the momentum in the IPO market sustains, India could evolve into a preferred regional hub for multinational listings.
Several mandates are believed to be at the pre-filing stage, with listings expected over the next 12 to 18 months. The pipeline, according to bankers, spans sectors from precision engineering and renewable energy equipment to consumer-facing brands with deep European heritage. “The conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, has turned India’s capital markets into a strategic expansion route for European multinationals specifically for European automakers,” said Neha Agarwal, MD and head, Equity Capital Markets, JM Financial Institutional Securities.

“Following the successful listings of Orkla India and Carraro India, we are seeing a structural shift where European parents no longer view India just as a manufacturing hub, but as a primary destination to unlock equity value,” according to Agarwal.

“With firms like Bonfiglioli now in the pipeline, the FTA acts as the ultimate ‘confidence bridge’, allowing European giants to tap into India’s high-valuation premiums and capital to fund their global green ambitions.”

Not all are convinced the floodgates’re about to open. Dev Chandrasekhar, partner at Mumbai-based valuations and branding advisory firm Transcendum, expects listings by European firms in India to be “selective and opportunistic rather than a stampede”. “For European companies seeking to de-risk supply chains away from China while accessing a $4 trillion economy, an Indian listing may no longer be optional, but it may be inevitable… let’s not get ahead of ourselves because the EU-India deal is still being negotiated.”

Also, many European firms may be sceptical of listing here “European companies are notoriously cautious about the governance dilution that comes with a public listing in an emerging market,” said Chandrasekhar. “The regulatory environment has improved, but Sebi’s disclosure norms, related-party transaction scrutiny and promoter lock-in requirements can be uncomfortable for European sponsors used to lighter-touch regimes.”

At present, Sebi rules mandate CRAs to have a minimum net worth of ₹25 crore, and to undertake credit ratings of only listed or proposed to be listed securities, or rating of financial instruments under the guidelines of a regulator as specified by Sebi.

Sebi has received representation from the industry on permitting rating agencies to undertake rating of financial products under the purview of other financial sector regulators (FSR), even where no rating related guidelines may have been issued by the relevant FSR.

These include the rating of unlisted securities.

“It has also been represented that since rating of said products/entities is adjacent to the current business of credit rating agencies, permitting the same may lead to significant synergies, while also addressing a gap in the industry,” Sebi had said earlier in its discussion paper.

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Disney subsidiary Twentieth Century Studios, which produced the film, said it was rated 12A, and the advertisement had been designed with that in mind. The company argued the brief and stylised nature of the scene meant the alien character or other imagery used would be unlikely to cause harm or offence.

FTSE 100 drugs giant reports pre-tax profits of $12.4bn for 2025, driven by cancer drug sales

Pharmaceutical heavyweight AstraZeneca has recorded a 40% leap in annual profits and forecasted continued earnings growth over the coming year, banking on robust demand for its cancer medicines.

The FTSE 100 company posted pre-tax profits of 12.4 billion US dollars (£9.06 billion) for 2025, climbing from 8.69 billion dollars (£6.35 billion) in 2024, propelled by a 49% surge in the fourth quarter on a constant currency basis.

Operating profits rose 36% on a constant currency basis to 13.74 billion dollars (£10.04 billion), whilst revenues increased 8% with currency fluctuations excluded, reaching 58.74 billion dollars (£42.93 billion).

The company indicated that revenues are projected to climb by a “mid-to-high single-digit percentage” in 2026, whilst underlying earnings per share are anticipated to grow by a low double-digit percentage.

The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical group is wagering on sustained strong appetite for its oncology treatments, whilst simultaneously expanding further into the US and Chinese markets and investing in increasingly sought-after weight-loss therapies.

These strategic moves are intended to help cushion the blow from losing patent protection on Farxiga, its blockbuster diabetes medication.

Farxiga’s sales growth registered a modest 2% on a constant currency basis during the fourth quarter.

Chief executive Pascal Soriot reaffirmed targets of achieving 80 billion dollars (£58.47 billion) in annual sales by 2030 through new medicines and strategic investments, with the company poised to announce results from as many as 20 advanced clinical trials this year. He stated that the “momentum across our company is continuing in 2026”.

“We have more than 100 Phase 3 studies ongoing, including a substantial and growing number of trials of our transformative technologies which have the potential to revolutionise outcomes for patients and drive our growth well beyond 2030,” Mr Soriot added.

Recently, the group announced an £13.52 billion ($18.5 billion) partnership with China’s CSPC Pharmaceutical Group to accelerate the development of experimental weight loss and diabetes drugs.

This move allows AstraZeneca to increase its investment in the rapidly expanding market for weight loss and diabetes drugs, previously dominated by blockbuster brands Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy.

The annual results were released after AstraZeneca began trading shares on the NYSE earlier this month, while maintaining its listings on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm.

AstraZeneca, which has key UK bases in Macclesfield and Cambridge, generates nearly half of its revenues in the US and aims to further expand in the world’s largest drugs market.

Last July, the company announced plans for around £36.55 billion ($50 billion) investment in the company by 2030, while several joint ventures in China are targeting the world’s second largest economy.

Shares in AstraZeneca rose 1% in Tuesday morning trading, with the stock having increased 28% over the past six months.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, commented: “The numbers this morning continue to show how AstraZeneca seems to have its house in order when it comes to its drug pipeline.”

He further added: “The outlook and recent performance more than justifies the recent surge in the share price which has finally seen it break higher after years of sideways trading.”

Founded in 1998, Impax is a specialist asset manager investing in the opportunities arising from the transition to a more sustainable global economy. Impax believes that capital markets will be shaped profoundly by global sustainability challenges, including climate change, pollution and essential investments in human capital, infrastructure and resource efficiency. These trends will drive growth for well-positioned companies and create risks for those unable or unwilling to adapt. Impax offers a well-rounded suite of investment solutions spanning multiple asset classes seeking strong risk-adjusted returns over the medium to long term. Impax manages funds and accounts in five areas: actively managed long-only equity, fixed income, systematic equities, multi asset, and new energy infrastructure. Impax has offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan, approximately £36.9 billion in assets under management and has one of the investment management sector’s largest investment teams dedicated to sustainable development. Note: This account is not managed or monitored by Impax, and any messages sent via Seeking Alpha will not receive a response. For inquiries or communication, please use Impax’s official channels.

Home security has become a growing concern for UK households, and in 2026, many homeowners are taking a closer look at something that’s often overlooked: their door locks.

While alarms, cameras and lighting tend to dominate conversations around home security, experts are increasingly pointing to door locks as one of the most important — and vulnerable — parts of a property’s defenses. As burglary methods evolve and older hardware struggles to keep up, upgrading door locks is quickly becoming a priority rather than an afterthought.

Changing Burglary Tactics Are Driving Lock Upgrades

Modern burglaries rarely resemble the dramatic break-ins portrayed in films. In reality, most intrusions are quick, targeted, and focused on exploiting weak points around doors and entry systems.

Older locks, particularly those fitted more than a decade ago, were not designed to withstand today’s most common attack methods. Techniques such as snapping, drilling, bumping and lock manipulation have become more widely understood, leaving outdated hardware exposed.

As awareness of these risks has grown, homeowners are realising that upgrading door locks can significantly reduce the likelihood of forced entry — often without the need for major renovations or expensive security systems.

Insurance and Security Standards Are Playing a Bigger Role

Another factor driving lock upgrades is insurance compliance. Many insurers now expect homes to meet minimum security standards, particularly for external doors on uPVC and composite properties.

Locks that fail to meet recognised security ratings may not only increase the risk of burglary but could also complicate insurance claims following a break-in. This has prompted more homeowners to seek out locks that are tested, certified and designed to resist common attack methods.

Rather than reacting after a burglary has occurred, many are choosing to upgrade proactively, ensuring their door locks meet modern expectations for both security and peace of mind.

Why Door Locks Are the Foundation of Home Security

While alarms and cameras can alert homeowners to a problem, door locks are the first line of defence. A strong locking system can prevent an intruder from gaining access in the first place, making other security measures far more effective.

High-quality locks are designed to work in harmony with the door itself, providing resistance against forced entry while maintaining smooth everyday use. When locks are worn, outdated or poorly installed, even the most robust doors can become vulnerable.

This has led to growing interest in modern locking solutions that offer improved strength, durability and compatibility with today’s door systems.

The Shift Towards High-Security Locking Solutions

One of the most noticeable trends in 2026 is the move towards high-security door locks that are specifically engineered to counter modern attack techniques.

These locks often feature reinforced materials, anti-snap protection, and advanced internal mechanisms that make them significantly harder to compromise. For many homeowners, upgrading to modern lock designs provides a cost-effective way to improve security without altering the appearance of their property.

You can see examples of modern high-security door locks and how they’re being used in UK homes by exploring specialist retailers that focus on security-rated locking solutions rather than generic hardware.

A Practical Upgrade With Long-Term Benefits

Unlike some home improvements, upgrading door locks offers immediate and lasting benefits. Improved security is the obvious advantage, but homeowners also report smoother operation, reduced wear on door mechanisms, and greater confidence when leaving their property unattended.

For rental properties and shared homes, upgraded locks can also help landlords meet safety expectations while reducing the risk of repeated break-ins — a growing concern in urban areas.

As security awareness continues to rise, it’s clear that door locks are no longer being treated as a background detail. Instead, they’re becoming a central part of how homeowners protect their properties.

Looking Ahead

With crime prevention advice, insurance requirements and consumer awareness all pointing in the same direction, it’s no surprise that more UK homeowners are choosing to upgrade their door locks in 2026.

Rather than waiting for something to go wrong, many are taking a proactive approach — strengthening their homes from the outside in and ensuring their first line of defence is up to modern standards.

Apple’s popular news app has been aggressively promoting articles from left-leaning news outlets – even as it has all but shut down posts from more conservative publications, according to an explosive study.

The Media Research Center, a conservative watchdog group focused on tracking media bias, analyzed a total of 620 stories that were featured by Apple News in high-traffic morning time slots between Jan. 1 and 31. The Apple News feed is a mixture of stories curated by a team of in-house editors and some by algorithm.

Of the 620 stories, a whopping 440 came from outlets that are rated as left-leaning, while the remaining 180 were published by centrist outlets. Meanwhile, outlets which are considered right-leaning – including The Post – were shut out entirely.

In January, Apple News featured a total of 72 articles by The Washington Post, 54 articles by The Associated Press, 50 by NBC News, 34 by The Guardian and 25 by NPR, according to MRC’s data. It published 54 Wall Street Journal articles. The numbers for The Post and Fox News were zero and zero, respectively.

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The Media Research Center found a whopping 440 out of 620 Apple News stories studied came from left-leaning outlets. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images / Getty Images)

MRC’s researchers relied on media bias ratings compiled by AllSides, a nonpartisan organization that uses a multi-partisan panel of experts – with two members from the left, two from the center and two from the right – that are trained to spot media bias.

It also conducts blind surveys of ordinary Americans, then averages both sets of results to come up with a rating.

AllSides’s experts did not participate in the MRC study or have any advance knowledge about its findings. Nevertheless, Julie Mastrine, who serves as director of AllSides’ media bias rating system, said she was “not surprised at all” by the results.

“The bottom line is that Americans that are relying on these Big Tech companies to provide them with news are not getting a balanced view and they’re not getting the full scope of perspectives available,” Mastrine said in an interview.

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In a statement provided after this story was published, an Apple spokesperson said the News app “provides access to news spanning a wide range of topics from more than 3,000 publications including the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Bloomberg, USA Today, Washington Examiner, New York Post, CBS News, local outlets, and more.”

“Apple News users can tailor the app to their interests by choosing to follow or block specific publications or topics,” the spokesperson added.

As of Monday, Apple News had gone 96 consecutive days without showcasing a story from a conservative publication in its top stories.

MRC alleged that Apple News “broadly focused on President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and immigration policy in negative ways” during the analysis period. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

MRC, which began publishing data on news aggregators in November, said Apple News last published an article by a right-leaning source on Nov. 5, when it ran a story by British outlet The Telegraph about the civil war in the Sudan.

MRC noted that the Apple News feed “broadly focused on President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and immigration policy in negative ways” during that time period, including selecting “provocative headlines that raised doubts about Trump’s actions” as it related to immigration and foreign policy.

“Almost half of voting-age Americans own an Apple iPhone,” MRC’s Dan Schneider told The Post. “Of course, all its phones come pre-installed with Apple News. Swipe right and you’re inundated with Apple’s cherry-picked news stories. Most people don’t even know they are being fed a steady stream of leftist narratives.”

In 2023, AllSides conducted its own study of bias at the 10 most popular news aggregations services. Apple News was given a “lean left” rating, with only Yahoo News and Bing News deemed to be more skewed toward liberal views when curating stories.

“Right-leaning media is really underrepresented,” Mastrine said.

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From Jan. 1 to 12, MRC tracked the top 20 stories from AllSides-rated news outlets that appeared on Apple News at approximately 10 a.m. ET. From Jan. 12 to 31, MRC did the same, but checked the Apple News app at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Schneider said MRC “experimented with different times” to see if it altered the results, but aimed to review Apple News in the morning for consistency.

The 620 articles included in MRC’s breakdown for January includes 30 stories by The Athletic, the sports site owned by the New York Times. The Times itself stopped participating with Apple News in 2020. The number also includes 27 pieces of original Apple content, most of which were links to its “Apple News Today” daily podcast.

“It is a subliminal form of propaganda, paid for with corporate dollars but without campaign finance disclosures,” Schneider added. “It could be illegal.”

MRC’s Dan Schneider told the New York Post that Apple News’ behavior “is a subliminal form of propaganda.” (iStock)

The allegations are a potential headache for Apple and its CEO Tim Cook, who has cozied up to President Trump since he re-entered office last year. Key Trump-appointed federal regulators are actively looking to crack down on media bias in Big Tech and beyond.

In February 2024, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson launched an inquiry into tech censorship and said his agency wanted to “better understand how these firms may have violated the law by silencing and intimidating Americans for speaking their minds.”

The FTC also cleared a major merger between ad giants Omnicom and Interpublic on the condition that they refrain from anything resembling politically-motivated ad boycotts in the future.

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Elsewhere, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a fierce Trump ally, infamously blasted Jimmy Kimmel last September over inflammatory comments he made about the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

This week, Carr’s FCC opened a probe into ABC’s “The View” and whether it has broken rules requiring equal time for interviews with political candidates.