Labor faces mounting pressure as unions and parts of the party press Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to tighten investor tax concessions ahead of the May budget. The Australian Council of Trade Unions on Feb. 5 urged limiting negative gearing to one investment property and cutting the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount — proposals Labor previously ran on and lost in 2019. Government sources and reporting on Feb. 4-5 say Treasurer Jim Chalmers has not ruled out CGT reform, with options ranging from a partial cut to 33% or 25%, possibly grandfathered for existing holdings. A Greens-led Senate inquiry is due to report soon. Proponents argue changes could curb speculation, free revenue for other measures and improve intergenerational fairness; critics warn of construction and investor impacts. PropTrack data cited by union backers show steep annual price rises in some cities (Perth ~17.5%, Brisbane ~14.4%, Adelaide ~13.8%), while a 2019 Deloitte analysis warned of potential GDP and construction losses from such reforms. The debate has triggered political pushback from the opposition and raised questions about electoral risk for Labor.

A wave of institutional trading in Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG) was reported this week in SEC 13F filings and regulatory disclosures. ABN AMRO increased its holding by 222.7% to 117,713 shares, worth about $52.0 million, according to a Feb. 5 filing. By contrast, Zurcher Kantonalbank (Zurich Cantonalbank) fully exited a 182,816-share position. Smaller moves include TD Waterhouse Canada buying 799 shares to hold 15,437 (about $8.74 million), while Goldman Sachs’ ETFs trimmed positions (sales of 245 and 6,817 shares reported). The activity follows Intuitive’s Jan. 22 quarterly results—EPS $2.53 and revenue $2.87 billion—and comes as the stock trades in the $425–$609 52-week range with market capitalisation near $170–176 billion. Analysts remain broadly positive and institutional investors own the majority of the stock (about 83.6%).

Namma Metro fares in Bengaluru will rise by 5% from February 9, 2026, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has said. The minimum single-journey fare increases from Rs 10 to Rs 11 and the maximum from Rs 90 to Rs 95 across all 10 fare zones; increases of Re 1 to Rs 5 will be applied depending on distance. The hike follows recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) and an automatic annual revision formula capped at 5% per year. BMRCL said audited costs rose 10.20% but the revision was limited to 5%. Existing discounts for smartcard and NCMC users (including 5% peak and 10% off-peak/Sunday/holiday discounts) will continue; tourist, group and day passes will also see proportional increases and fares will be rounded to the nearest rupee where applicable. The move comes a year after a contentious 2025 fare overhaul that initially proposed much larger increases. BMRCL cites heavy loan liabilities and looming repayments as reasons for the automatic, cost-linked adjustment mechanism.

Greater Bengaluru authorities have moved to auction about 7,000 properties that have defaulted on property tax and related charges, seeking to recover roughly Rs 437 crore. The five municipal corporations that make up the Greater Bengaluru Area scheduled zone-wise auctions for February 17, 2026, after multiple demand notices, attachment orders and recovery attempts failed. The defaulting properties are spread across all corporations — Bengaluru East identified 1,615 and Bengaluru West 1,504 — with corporation-wise arrears reportedly ranging between Rs 72 crore and Rs 119 crore. Officials say the outstanding amount includes base tax, cesses, user fees, penalties and interest, with penalties and interest constituting a large share of the total. The list of properties under proclamation has been published on the municipal property tax portal; owners can avoid auction if they clear dues, including penalties, before the sale. Sale proceeds will be used to recover municipal dues in accordance with law.

India on Feb. 5, 2026 launched Bharat Taxi, a government-backed, cooperative-led ride-hailing platform designed to challenge private players such as Uber and Ola. Inaugurated in New Delhi by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, the service is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd and backed by major cooperative institutions. Drivers, branded “Sarathis,” are member-owners who pay a flat access fee (widely reported as around ₹30) rather than per-ride commissions; the platform advertises zero commission and no surge pricing. The cooperative model includes welfare measures such as health and accident insurance, retirement provisions and a shareholding structure for drivers. The app — piloted from late 2025 across Delhi-NCR and parts of Gujarat with several hundred to several thousand rides daily — includes safety features, an SOS helpline and partnerships with police (including dedicated assistance booths). Government statements claim hundreds of thousands of registered drivers and rapid expansion plans to reach metro and rural areas over coming years. The platform offers multiple vehicle categories and aims to redistribute platform revenue to drivers while undercutting incumbent fares by up to about 30 percent, according to official estimates.

A study led by the University of Exeter in partnership with think‑tank Carbon Tracker, published 5 February 2026, warns that conventional economic models systematically understate the financial risks from accelerating climate change. Drawing on expert judgement from roughly 60–70 climate scientists across about a dozen countries, the analysis concludes that warming beyond 2°C would more likely produce cascading, structural and compounding shocks — through extreme weather, tipping points and simultaneous sectoral failures — than the gradual, GDP‑linked losses captured by standard models. The report highlights that commonly used metrics such as GDP can mask true societal costs (deaths, ill health, ecosystem loss) and warns that combinations of extreme events could trigger systemic disruption severe enough to threaten global financial stability. It urges regulators, central banks and investors to focus on extreme scenarios and systemic vulnerability, accelerate stress‑testing and precautionary measures, and to speed a move away from fossil‑fuel exposure rather than await ‘perfect’ models.

The Bank of England is widely expected to keep its Bank Rate on hold at 3.75% when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets on 5 February 2026, after cutting rates from 4% in December. Official data showing UK consumer price inflation rose to 3.4% in December has strengthened the case for a pause, even as the labour market shows signs of softening. Markets price only a small probability of a February cut and expect the Bank to give cautious, non‑committal forward guidance at its noon decision and subsequent press conference. Economists and strategists are split on timing for any reductions: some forecasters see cuts as soon as March or April, while others expect a gentler easing later in the year depending on incoming wage, pay‑settlement and inflation data. The MPC will also weigh growth signals and fiscal measures from the Budget. A hold would reinforce current mortgage and savings rate dynamics, leaving immediate borrowing costs broadly unchanged for most households while maintaining uncertainty over when rate relief might arrive.

London motorists face above-inflation rises in the central congestion charge and the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls under Transport for London’s (TfL) new three-year business plan. The central C-charge was increased by 20% to £18 in January 2026 and the 100% exemption for battery electric vehicles was removed; electric vans and lorries now pay £9 a day and battery cars, including minicabs, pay £13.50. The Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, opened with user charges in April 2025, cost £1.50 off-peak and £4 at peak per crossing. TfL finance chief Patrick Doig said the plan assumes annual increases from 2027 through 2030 at the rate of RPI plus 1 percentage point for both the congestion charge and tunnel tolls, with annual decisions announced each January and taking effect in March. The Ulez daily charge of £12.50 would not follow the same automatic rises. TfL expects around £320m a year from congestion levies and fines after January changes; tunnel takings are about £10m a month but much revenue is needed to service the Silvertown tunnel’s £2.2bn PFI cost. TfL passenger income remains below pre-pandemic forecasts.

Symbotic Inc. reported a strong start to fiscal 2026, posting first-quarter revenue of about $630 million, up roughly 29% year‑over‑year, and GAAP net income of $13 million versus a loss a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA reached $67 million and the company delivered a GAAP EPS of $0.02, beating estimates. Management added 10 systems during the quarter and ended with 57 systems in deployment; software revenue rose to $10.9 million (up 97% y/y) and operations services to $28.8 million (up 68% y/y). Symbotic closed a follow-on equity offering and held cash and equivalents of $1.8 billion. Backlog was cited near $22.3 billion, driven by large customers including Walmart. For Q2 management guided revenue of $650–670 million and adjusted EBITDA of $70–75 million. The company faces legal proceedings and notable insider selling activity (including a recent 8,306-share sale), but institutional ownership remains high. Shares reacted positively to the results.

JSW Cement Ltd reported a turnaround in the December quarter (Q3 FY26), posting a net profit of Rs 130.62 crore versus a loss of Rs 80.22 crore a year ago. Revenue from operations rose 13.15% year-on-year to Rs 1,621.22 crore and total income climbed to Rs 1,707.36 crore. The company cited volume growth (total sales 3.56 million tonnes, up 3.56% YoY) and operating leverage for improved margins. Operating EBITDA improved 31.5% YoY to Rs 285.1 crore (about Rs 802/MT) while reported EBITDA rose to Rs 371.2 crore (up 51.4% YoY). JSW recorded an exceptional net loss of Rs 33.66 crore related to implementation of new labour codes. Costs rose modestly due to higher blended fuel consumption and inter-plant raw material transfers; cement realisation softened 3.9% quarter-on-quarter. Net debt stood at Rs 3,557 crore and capex in Q3 was Rs 491 crore; grinding capacity is 21.60 MTPA with targets to reach 41.85 MTPA grinding and 13.04 MTPA clinker capacity. Shares jumped as much as 9.3% to Rs 127 intraday, aided by results and a planned $39m grinding unit in Fujairah, UAE.

Australia’s government is weighing a reduction to the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount ahead of the May 2026 federal budget, mounting a renewed debate over housing affordability and fiscal repair. Independent Parliamentary Budget Office analysis for the Greens released in early February said the concession will cost about A$247 billion ($160bn) over the next decade and has handed a disproportionate share of benefits to top earners — the top 1% receiving about 60% this year. Options being canvassed include trimming the discount to 33% or 25%, limiting changes to property rather than all assets, or grandfathering existing holdings. The Australian Council of Trade Unions has publicly backed reforms, while business and property groups warn of construction, investment and rental-market effects. Treasury modelling in 2024 looked at negative gearing changes; Labor says its priority is housing supply but has not ruled out CGT reform. A Greens-led Senate inquiry is examining CGT arrangements, with a report expected in coming weeks, and the government faces political risk after similar proposals contributed to its 2019 election defeat.

Brad Karp, the long-time chairman of US law firm Paul Weiss, resigned his leadership role on Feb. 5, 2026, after emails and other documents released by the US Department of Justice linked him to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The firm said partner Scott Barshay will succeed Karp effective immediately. The released tranche of files showed a series of personal and business communications — including social dinners, Karp asking Epstein to help secure a film job for his son, and Karp’s role in negotiating fee disputes involving client Leon Black. Paul Weiss, which employs more than 1,000 lawyers and reported annual revenues above $2.6 billion in 2024, said Karp regrets the interactions and will continue focusing on client work. The disclosures follow earlier controversy over the firm’s decision to pledge tens of millions in pro bono work tied to a 2023 White House dispute over an executive order, and reporters’ reviews show Karp’s name appearing across millions of pages in the DOJ release. The firm emphasized the departure was to avoid distraction; Karp remains at the firm in a non-chair capacity.

Kennametal Inc. reported stronger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results on Feb. 4-5, 2026, driven by pricing, volume and restructuring savings. For the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025 the Pittsburgh-based industrial toolmaker posted sales of $529.5 million, up about 10% year-on-year (10% organic), and adjusted EPS of $0.47 (reported EPS $0.44). Operating income rose to roughly $53 million and adjusted operating income to $56 million; adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 17.1%. Management cited buy-ahead activity tied to rising tungsten prices and stronger end-market demand in mining, infrastructure and aerospace. Working capital rose materially — inventory climbed (reported at about $690 million) and primary working capital increased by roughly $97 million — pushing year-to-date free operating cash flow down to $38 million and pausing share repurchases. Kennametal raised its full-year sales outlook to $2.19–$2.25 billion and adjusted EPS guidance to $2.05–$2.45, and issued Q3 guidance of $545–$565 million sales and $0.50–$0.60 adjusted EPS. The company also declared a $0.20 quarterly dividend.

Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. reported fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 4 that beat top‑line estimates but came with conservative 2026 guidance. Net revenue for Q4 was $1.034 billion versus $1.01 billion consensus; adjusted EBITDA rose to $220 million (up 3% year‑on‑year) and adjusted EPS was $0.59. Full‑year 2025 revenue totaled $3.72 billion with adjusted EBITDA of $667 million and adjusted EPS of $1.64. Management flagged persistent input‑cost pressures from aluminum and tariffs, citing roughly $100 million of higher commodity and tariff costs in 2025. Reynolds set FY2026 guidance of $1.57–$1.63 EPS and revenue of $3.6–$3.8 billion (versus street expectations ~ $1.75 EPS and $3.8B revenue), and Q1 guidance of $0.23–$0.25 EPS. The company said share gains across core categories helped offset volume softness and announced elevated 2026 capex (low‑$200M) to drive productivity and automation. Shares jumped 10–15% intraday on the results and guidance release; the firm also declared a $0.23 quarterly dividend (ex‑dividend Feb. 13, pay Feb. 27).

EZCORP Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW) reported a strong start to fiscal 2026 after filing results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025. Total revenues rose 19% year-on-year to $382.0 million and net income increased 43% to $44.3 million, while diluted EPS was $0.55. Adjusted EBITDA improved to roughly $70–71 million and pawn loans outstanding grew 14% to $314.4 million. The company added 23 stores during the quarter and completed two strategic acquisitions in January 2026: an 87.7% controlling interest in Founders One (adding 105 stores across 12 countries) and a $27.5 million purchase of 12 Texas stores (El Bufalo Pawn). Following these deals EZCORP operates about 1,500 pawn stores across 16 countries. The results and M&A pushed the stock to a 52-week high near $22.14 and attracted analyst target increases and fresh institutional buying. Balance-sheet metrics remain liquid (current ratio ~5.6) with modest leverage (debt-to-equity ~0.5).

Indian consumer goods firm Marico has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in digital-first wellness brand Cosmix Wellness for Rs 225.67 crore (about Rs 2.26 billion), valuing the company at roughly Rs 375 crore, the company said in filings in early February 2026. The deal, to be executed as a secondary buyout from the founders, is expected to close within about 30 days subject to customary conditions. Marico has a right to purchase the remaining stake after the end of fiscal 2029, with the price to be determined then and contingent on milestones and approvals. Cosmix, headquartered in Bengaluru and founded by Vibha Harish and Soorya Jagadish, sells plant‑based protein powders, fermented yeast protein products, functional superfood blends and functional foods such as protein pancake mixes and bars. The brand reported about Rs 100 crore annualised recurring revenue in the last six months and has been profitable with a high‑teen EBITDA margin; reported turnover was around Rs 50.9 crore in FY25. Marico said the acquisition will expand its premium food and nutrition portfolio and accelerate its digital‑first wellness offerings across India.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie was heckled on Feb. 3, 2026, while unveiling a plan to sell surplus state land to fast-track housing supply, officials said. The first parcel is a six-hectare former Energex site at Banyo in north Brisbane, transferred to Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and expected to deliver about 400 homes in partnership with private developers. The Crisafulli government said other underused government sites will be identified and put to market, and private sector parties may nominate land for activation. There is no requirement for a proportion of social or affordable housing under the policy; ministers argued increasing supply will ease prices. Local residents condemned the proposal, raising concerns about traffic, neighbourhood character and contamination (PFAS and asbestos) — issues the government says have been assessed and remediated. The Property Council backed the move as necessary to boost supply, while the Queensland Council of Social Services and Opposition figures warned the approach favours developers and risks failing low-income renters and buyers without mandated affordability measures.

New York and New Jersey on Feb. 3-4 sued the Trump administration in federal court in Manhattan seeking an emergency order to restore roughly $16 billion in federal funding for the Gateway Hudson River tunnel. State attorneys general said the U.S. Department of Transportation has frozen congressionally approved grants since September while reviewing contracting practices, including claims tied to diversity, equity and inclusion, and that the pause amounts to unlawful political retribution. The Gateway Development Commission filed a related challenge in the Court of Federal Claims earlier in the week. Officials warned construction — started in 2023 — could halt within days, imperiling immediate work and risking thousands of jobs and wider disruption to the Northeast Corridor, whose century-old North River Tunnel carries hundreds of thousands of daily passengers. The states seek a court declaration ordering release of funds so work can continue and remedial work on the existing tunnel can proceed.

Tesla sold 69,129 China-made vehicles in January, a 9.3% increase year-on-year but a 28.9% drop month-on-month, according to China Passenger Car Association data published Feb. 4, 2026. The figures mark Tesla’s third consecutive month of annual growth even as China’s wider electric-vehicle sector cooled sharply: CPCA reported roughly 900,000 EVs sold in January, down about 42% from December. Major domestic players including BYD, Xpeng, Li Auto and Nio posted steep delivery declines after Beijing scaled back tax breaks and revised subsidy rules, while firms cited rising costs and intensifying price competition. Tesla’s Shanghai factory continues to supply domestic buyers and exports to Europe, and the company has rolled out seven-year low-interest financing in China to bolster demand. Tesla is also awaiting regulatory approval for its driver-supervised Full Self-Driving system in China and Europe, which it expects this month, as it looks to lean more on software revenue amid softer hardware sales.

Top Natera Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA) executives and senior managers disclosed a series of large stock sales on Feb. 2-3, 2026. CEO Steven L. Chapman sold tens of thousands of shares in multiple transactions — MarketBeat reported 85,299 shares for about $19.7 million (Investing.com reported a slightly higher figure) — reducing his direct holdings by roughly 40%. CFO Michael Brophy sold 6,939 shares for about $1.58 million, and Solomon Moshkevich, president of clinical diagnostics, sold about 4,639 shares for roughly $1.07 million; other smaller insider disposals were also filed. Several sales were executed under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans and some to cover taxes on vested RSUs. The disclosures coincided with a sharp one-day market move — NTRA shares fell about $22 (near a 9.7% decline) to roughly $205.61 — against a backdrop of strong preliminary fourth-quarter results (nearly 40% revenue growth year-over-year), an FDA premarket approval submission for the Signatera CDx test, completed enrollment in a transplantation study and new AI initiatives. Natera’s market capitalization is roughly $28.4 billion and institutional ownership is high.