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• IBM has underperformed the broader market over the past year, though Wall Street analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook for the stock. • For the fiscal year ending in December, analysts project a 6.5% growth in diluted earnings per share (EPS), reaching $12.34. • The positive outlook is supported by the company's strong history of earnings surprises, suggesting potential for upside performance.

TUC will urge John Healey to order ‘root and branch’ assessment of watchdog amid claims its forecasts downplay investment benefitsThe TUC is urging the new chancellor, John Healey, to order a “root and branch” review of the Office for Budget Responsibility, claiming the forecaster’s approach holds back investment.With Andy Burnham promising “good growth in every postcode”, the union umbrella body is calling on Healey to use his first budget on 28 October to re-examine the assessments of the watchdog. Continue reading...

• Novo co-founder Michael Rangel highlights how major Wall Street banks have effectively priced out approximately 36 million small businesses from essential financial services. • Despite the rise of fintech, Rangel notes that his own company still faces challenges in providing banking services to crypto-related firms due to systemic barriers. • The issue is critical as the solopreneur economy grows; Stripe research from June shows that 4 million Americans earned over $100,000 as solopreneurs in 2023, up from roughly 2 million in the early 2010s.

• The Indian government is proposing amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), sparking significant political and diplomatic controversy before the Bill has been tabled in Parliament. • Opposition leaders have condemned the proposed changes as "draconian," alleging that the government is attempting to tighten control over civil society organisations and NGOs. • Critics argue that the new regulations create unequal rules for different organisations, potentially stifling independent advocacy and non-profit operations within the country.

• IBM shares opened down 3.17% on August 6, driven by investor concerns regarding the growth timelines for enterprise AI. • The decline is attributed to macroeconomic headwinds and restrictive monetary policies, which are negatively impacting company valuations and corporate spending. • Technical indicators remain mixed, with a MACD value of 5.752 and a neutral RSI, while analysts maintain their average price targets.

• On August 7, 2026, the Indian stock market ended its two-day recovery as the Sensex fell 456 points and the Nifty 50 slipped. • The decline was primarily driven by weakness in banking and financial stocks, alongside concerns over elevated crude oil prices and regulatory issues for NBFCs. • Broader investor sentiment was weighed down by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, mirroring a mixed performance across Asian markets.

• Shares of major Hong Kong insurers, including Prudential and AIA, slumped following reports that China may introduce taxes on offshore insurance income. • The market reaction stems from investor fears that new tax regulations will discourage policyholders and slow the sales of insurance and other financial products. • This development is significant as it threatens the profitability of insurers heavily reliant on the flow of capital and wealth management services between mainland China and Hong Kong.