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According to Eurostat, the euro area household saving rate fell from 14.4% in the first quarter to 14.2% in the second quarter of 2026, as household consumption grew 1.3%, faster than the 1.1% rise in gross disposable income. The household investment rate eased slightly from 8.4% to 8.3%, because gross fixed capital formation grew only 0.5%. By contrast, the profit share of non-financial businesses rose from 38.4% to 39.0%, as compensation of employees and taxes less subsidies grew 1.0% while gross value added rose 2.0%. The business investment rate also increased from 22.5% to 22.7%, driven by a 2.9% rise in business gross fixed capital formation.
- Central Bank Of India Q2 FY27 Consolidated Net Profit Rose 40 . 58 Per Cent Year - On - Year To ₹1 , 718 . 60 Crore
Central Bank of India reported consolidated net profit of ₹1,718.60 crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2026, up 40.58% from ₹1,222.00 crore a year earlier. Total consolidated income rose to ₹11,778.67 crore from ₹10,248.29 crore, with interest earned up to ₹10,393.89 crore from ₹8,776.54 crore and interest expended up to ₹6,226.85 crore from ₹5,476.04 crore. Consolidated operating expenses were ₹3,288.40 crore, compared with ₹2,974.83 crore. The consolidated net NPA ratio fell to 0.31% from 0.48%, while the Basel III Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 17.68% versus 17.34% a year earlier.
- John Healey urged to announce major change to 3 per cent tax rule in autumn budget
UK Chancellor John Healey is being urged to change the 3% bank surcharge ahead of the autumn budget, amid speculation he plans to raise taxes on the financial sector. One option under consideration is reversing former chancellor Jeremy Hunt's cut in the surcharge from 8% to 3%, which the TUC estimates would raise £2.25 billion a year; the TUC has also called for a rise to 16%, which could bring in £24 billion over four years. The Conservatives and City groups warn that targeting banks would stifle investment and harm Britain's competitiveness as a financial centre. Shares of Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest each fell 2% in morning trading on Friday, while a Treasury spokesperson said tax decisions would be set out at fiscal events rather than through speculation.
- Seasonal Postings 43 per cent Below 2018
Hiring platform Indeed data show the UK seasonal jobs market remains subdued even though jobseeker interest in Christmas work is holding up. As of 2 October, seasonal postings were 43% below their 2018 level, a steeper fall than the 32% drop across the wider UK jobs market, where overall postings are down 11% since the start of 2026. Graduate postings are down around 13% year on year and at their lowest for this time of year since 2020, while summer temporary and seasonal postings had one of their weakest summers in four years. Indeed's Senior Economist Jack Kennedy said subdued seasonal hiring means more competition for available roles, and that young people and other jobseekers seeking a temporary bridge into work face narrower opportunities.
- Microsoft’s Brad Smith Says Green-Card Curbs Could “Cripple” U.S. Tech. Here’s How Much It Hits Microsoft
Microsoft President Brad Smith criticized the suspension of Microsoft from the PERM labor certification program, which is the first step for most employment-based green cards, warning that blocking permanent residency for skilled immigrants could “cripple” U.S. tech for more than a generation. The Labor Department suspended Microsoft, Adobe and six IT outsourcers on October 8; Vice President JD Vance alleged Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers last year while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas, but Smith called these accusations “completely off base” and said Microsoft hired more than 9,000 U.S.-born workers last year. Microsoft’s R&D expense rose 20.5%, from $29.51 billion in fiscal 2024 to $35.56 billion in fiscal 2026, while product R&D headcount fell from 81,000 to 77,000. Since October 7, MSFT rose 0.7%, while Cognizant (CTSH) gained 9.5%, Infosys (INFY) 9.7% and Adobe (ADBE) 3.4%. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling linked the case to multiple active federal investigations, and the PERM list grew from Cognizant alone in September to eight companies in October.
- Visa gets Beijing's green light for bank card business after 40 years of working with China
Visa has received approval from the People's Bank of China to set up a bank card clearing business in mainland China, a move the company calls an important milestone after more than 40 years of work in the market. CEO Ryan McInerney said Visa will take the necessary steps under PBOC rules to begin operating domestically. Visa had applied in May 2020, while American Express was the first to receive its processing license in June 2020 and Mastercard's joint venture began processing payments in 2024. Analyst George Chen of The Asia Group said the timing is notable, as Beijing appears keen to show tangible progress for American businesses before Trump's next visit to China.
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- Iran warns US and Israel
Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Ali Abdollahi, warned on October 18 that the US and Israel would face a far harsher response if they continue actions Tehran considers provocative. He said Tehran is awaiting their next moves and that Iran's armed forces remain ready for any scenario. Tehran accuses Washington and Tel Aviv of trying to weaken its government, and tensions have risen since earlier conflicts, including a 12-day war. Iran says it will not back down under external pressure.
- Is TC Energy (TRP) a Good or Bad Investment at Today's Multiple?
TC Energy trades at 21.19 times next year's expected earnings, closing at $61.74 on October 16 after a 1.5% return over 6 months, versus 10.5% for the Insider Monkey Billionaire Index and 9.3% for the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. The company operates natural gas transmission pipelines across Canada, the United States and Mexico, plus power generation, with a 44.25% operating margin, and latest-quarter earnings rose 18.00% on revenue up 5.70%. The article flags risks including debt at 170.37% of equity, the loss of crude oil pipelines to South Bow in 2024, and volumes that depend on North American gas demand from power and LNG exports. A 4.01% yield is cited as income while the market decides whether the stable business justifies the multiple relative to its growth.
- Should You Buy This Trump AI Stock Ahead of Earnings?
Microsoft (MSFT) reports quarterly results on October 28 and ranks eighth in Trump's latest stock portfolio, after Trump bought the stock five times in August. Bulls point to Azure growth of 43% last quarter, with management expecting about 45% in the current quarter, and to demand that exceeds available computing capacity. Bears cite rising capital spending that Deutsche Bank says could push free cash flow close to breakeven in fiscal 2027, about two-thirds of spending going to short-lived equipment such as chips, and OpenAI making up about 45% of the commercial backlog in the December quarter. The stock trades at 26.75 times forward earnings, a 27% premium to the sector median of 21.01 but 12% below its own five-year average of 30.47, with a PEG ratio of 1.70 versus a sector median of 1.14. The article concludes that investors pay more than for the average tech stock but less than they usually pay for Microsoft.
- What Is Williams' (WMB) Economic Moat, and Is It Steel or Permits?
Williams (WMB) closed at $71.28 on October 16, with a 0.5% return over 6 months, compared with 10.5% for the Insider Monkey Billionaire Index and 9.3% for the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. The article argues its main advantage is the Transco pipeline, which runs from the Gulf Coast up the eastern seaboard, where several attempts to build new pipe have been abandoned after failing to win approvals. A 39.54% operating margin and 21.50% return on equity are cited as evidence of this advantage, although revenue rose only 7.80% last quarter. Limits noted include debt at 200.37% of equity, rules that also restrict Williams' own growth, and a price of 26.81 times expected next-year earnings. The dividend yields 2.95%.
- Marvell Jumps 6% as GF Securities Says Google Chip Delay Won’t Dent Its Position; Broadcom Rises 3%
Marvell shares rose 6% to $241.27 in afternoon trading after a reported delay in Google's next TPU chip, while Broadcom gained 3%. GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu said the delay does not change Marvell's medium- to long-term position in Google's chip supply chain. Marvell reported Q2 FY2027 revenue of $2.74 billion, up 36.5% YoY, with its Data Center segment at $2.17 billion, or 79% of revenue. Google can acquire up to 7% of Marvell shares under a warrant tied to revenue targets, and management expects its custom business to more than double in fiscal 2028. Q3 revenue guidance is $3.15 billion, plus or minus 5%, with non-GAAP gross margin of 57.5% to 58.5%, and the article notes Marvell still needs to convert its Google programs into reported revenue.
- Is ONEOK (OKE) Cheap at 14 Times Next Year’s Earnings?
ONEOK (NYSE:OKE) closed at $93.31 on October 16 and returned 11.4% over six months, versus 10.5% for the Insider Monkey Billionaire Index. The stock trades at 14.49 times next year's expected earnings and yields 4.59%, and revenue rose 52.80% last quarter as the company grew through acquisitions. The article argues that much of this growth was bought rather than built, with only 13.25% of revenue remaining as operating profit and debt at 143.07% of equity. Because a large part of the business involves buying and reselling liquids rather than earning transport fees, the article views the discount as having a reason behind it. It concludes that investors should watch margins rather than revenue.
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