Jul 22, 2026 · 6 min
Wetherspoons issues fourth profit warning as Iberdrola beats estimates
Wetherspoon Plunges, Santander Dips, Iberdrola Down
The latest earnings reports highlight how inflation and rising overhead costs continue to squeeze consumer-facing hospitality brands even as global utilities show resilience.
- 1Wetherspoons issued its fourth profit warning of the year due to rising labor, food, energy, and business rate costs.
- 2Spanish utility Iberdrola beat first-half earnings estimates thanks to the resilient nature of its global operations.
- 3Despite beating financial expectations in the first half, Iberdrola chose not to raise its full-year guidance.
The brief
Bloomberg Radio hosts James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker join breaking news editor Louise Moon to break down the latest global market movements, focusing on the starkly different corporate fortunes of a British pub giant and a Spanish utility titan.
British pub chain Wetherspoons issued its fourth profit warning of the year. The company is struggling to maintain profitability as it faces a relentless combination of rising labor costs, surging food prices, high energy bills, and climbing business rates.
In contrast, Spanish multinational electric utility Iberdrola reported first-half financial results that beat market estimates. The company benefited from its vast global reach, though management ultimately chose not to raise its forward guidance.
What was said on this episode
5 statements · 2 positive · 3 negative
Wetherspoons’ repeated profit warnings highlight pressures on the pub sector.
“the profit warning, another profit warning shows really highlights the pressures on the sector”
Listen at 2:00
Santander’s recent TSB takeover is boosting its results.
“they're being boosted by their recent takeover of TSB”
Listen at 2:20
Iberdrola’s first-half results beat estimates.
“Spanish utility had their first quarter, first half, sorry, results and beat estimates”
Listen at 3:05
Iberdrola did not raise its guidance after beating estimates.
“they didn't raise guidance”
Listen at 3:24
Analysts consider Iberdrola’s Finland electricity-network stake purchase fully priced.
“analysts saying that it's a full, what they're calling a full price”
Listen at 3:41
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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