The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
0722 GMT - An experimental obesity drug jointly developed by Roche Holding and Zealand Pharma fell somewhat short of efficacy expectations in a midstage clinical trial, analysts at J.P. Morgan say in a research note. The weight loss for the drug candidate, petrelintide, of 10.7% at week 42 of treatment, is broadly in line with that of Novo Nordisk's cagrilintide and Eli Lilly's eloralintide at the same point, according to JPM. "Overall, from a Roche perspective while the phase 2 [petrelintide] data still suggests a mid-teens weight loss profile, with competitive tolerability, is possible in Phase 3, we believe the shares could be off 1-2% today as a result of the weight loss coming in somewhat below expectations," the analysts say.(adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0722 GMT - Nordic markets are seen opening higher, with IG calling the OMXS30 up 0.5% at around 3093. Equity markets fell Thursday as the war in the Middle East continues with no signs of abating and as chip manufacturer stocks declined, SEB chief emerging market strategist Erik Meyersson writes. In Asia, most stock markets have opened on the upside and futures in Europe and the U.S. are pointing higher. February's U.S. labor market data is in focus and the market is keeping a close eye on whether activity may have slowed somewhat after last month's relatively strong outcome, Meyersson says. In addition, U.S. retail sales data, eurozone GDP data for the fourth quarter and German factory orders are due. OMXS30 closed at 3077.21, OMXN40 at 2537.50 and OBX at 1838.19. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)
0720 GMT - Central Plaza Hotel likely has the highest exposure to the Middle East conflict among Thai hotel operators, say Citi analysts in a note. The company says its Dubai joint-venture hotel's forward booking in March turned negative. The Dubai hotel contributed around 9.0% of the Thai hotel operator's 2025 core earnings through share of profit, they note. Central Plaza Hotel's Thai hotels are also likely to be weighed by lower arrivals from the Middle East and Europe, as around half of Thailand's overall European visitors connect via the Middle East, they estimate. Citi has a buy rating and 37.00 baht target price on the stock, which falls 4.2% to 34.00 baht.(megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0705 GMT - Minor International appears most resilient among Thai hotels and airlines under Citi's coverage amid the widening Middle East conflict, the bank's analysts say in a note. While the hotel operator is seeing cancellations for bookings in the Middle East, the region accounted for less than 2.0% of group revenue in 2025, they note. Its core European hotel portfolio relies mainly on intra-European travel, which is likely to remain unaffected by the conflict. More than 90% of Minor International's 2026 European gas and electricity needs are also hedged, the analysts say. The stock's pullback of around 17% since Feb. 27 could be a buying opportunity, they add. Citi has a buy rating and THB35.00 target price on its top sector pick Minor International, which was recently down 2.3% at THB21.20. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0652 GMT - BDO Unibank's loan growth is likely to moderate further in the near term, SB Equities' Katrine Eunice Dolatre says in a research report. Its gross loan growth slowed from 13.7% for first nine months of 2025 to 13.3% for full year, the analyst notes. The Philippines' 2026-2027 GDP growth is expected to slow to 5.0%-5.4% from 5.6%-5.8% seen previously amid heightened geopolitical risk, the analyst projects. This could weaken the Philippines' business confidence and damp overall growth prospects, which might lead to reduced loan growth for the bank. The brokerage lowers the stock's target price to 161.90 Philippine pesos from 173.10 Philippine pesos with an unchanged add rating. Shares are 3.0% lower at 125.60 Philippine pesos. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0646 GMT - Hongkong Land may have scope to raise dividends, DBS analysts say in a commentary. The Singapore-listed property company delivered a pleasant surprise with its full-year earnings, as its planned final dividend rose 12% on year to US$0.19 a share, beating DBS's estimates. The company is in a strong financial position and its real-estate fund is likely to enable more capital-recycling efforts, the analysts say. Hongkong Land could therefore pursue prime investment opportunities and consider higher dividends, they add. Its near-term share price could be boosted by continuing share buybacks, too. DBS raises its target price to US$10.17 from US$10.13 and maintains a buy rating. Shares rise 2.7% to US$8.37. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0641 GMT - Sembcorp Industries could gain from higher gas prices amid the Middle East conflict, DBS Group Research's Pei Hwa Ho says in a note. The energy-solutions provider's gains will likely be driven by gas hedges and higher gas-trading volumes and margins, the analyst says. Its operations in Oman and the U.A.E., which contribute about 8.0% of net profit, appear unaffected so far, she adds. Sembcorp's gas supply is also unlikely to be disrupted, as it isn't scheduled to receive any Middle Eastern LNG cargoes over the next few months. Meanwhile, Sembcorp's growth could resume in 2027, partly thanks to new capacity coming online at a Singapore power plant. DBS lowers its target price to S$7.30 from S$7.40 while maintaining a buy rating. Shares rise 1.8% to S$5.78. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0641 GMT - A planned April summit between Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping is expected to prioritize security assurances rather than a long-awaited trade deal, according to Macquarie Capital's Eugene Hsiao in a research note. "For China, strikes on Iran supercharge global stability concerns already in place since January following U.S. military actions in Venezuela," the head of China Equity Strategy says. National security remains the top theme for Chinese equities in 2026. "Beyond oil, we see second-order winners in renewables and consumer reflation trades," Hsiao says. (tracy.qu@wsj.com)
0623 GMT - Soon Hock Enterprise's project pipeline looks clearer, based on its analyst briefing, Maybank's Toh Xuan Hao says in a report. Its Sky@Tuas development property in Singapore is slated for sales launch in 2Q, with management guiding for conservative 50% achieved unit sales in 2026, the analyst notes. Greater clarity has emerged for the property developer's 2027-2028 development projects, as management targets final temporary occupation permit for Senang Crescent project by end-2027. Management also guided for plans to develop a larger 700-800 bed worker dormitory as part of its 20 Shaw Road property. Maybank Research raises the stock's target price to S$0.78 from S$0.75 with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 1.6% lower at S$0.63. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0622 GMT - Venture Corp. stands to benefit from its differentiated solutions strategy, RHB Research's Alfie Yeo says in a note. Growth will probably be driven by a strong outlook for hyperscale data centers, new product introduction, new customers and better customer stickiness due to its differentiated solutions strategy, the analyst says. Beside offering traditional electronics manufacturing services solutions, the company's involvement in earlier product development stages including research and development will build up more value and support stronger bonds with clients. RHB Research raises the stock's target price to S$17.40 from S$16.70 to reflect the company's better EPS, with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 0.7% lower at S$15.39. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0616 GMT - Asia-Pacific utility companies should be able to absorb a short-lived disruption to fuel supplies due to the Iran conflict, Fitch Ratings says in a report. Fitch Ratings' credit ratings for companies are unlikely to change for now, as many benefit from strong government support, it says. Utilities in India, Indonesia and Australia are less affected by supply risks because most of their power-generation fuel--coal and natural gas--is sourced locally, and reliance on crude oil is negligible. China's gas utilities could see higher costs, but domestic pricing dynamics and procurement structures should cushion these expenses, the ratings company adds. Meanwhile, South Korea's utilities have the region's highest exposure to volatility in imported fuel prices. Credit pressure on companies could rise if the supply disruption becomes prolonged, Fitch Ratings says. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0614 GMT - Investors should buy the FTSE Straits Times Index when the benchmark falls toward its technical support range of 4760-4800, say DBS Group Research's Kee Yan Yeo and Fang Boon Foo in a note. They expect the Middle East conflict to be short-lived and not lead to major market disruption. Attractive dividend yields and the city-state's safe-haven status should support its equity market and cushion it from market volatility, they say. DBS raises its end-2026 STI target to 5250. The FTSE Straits Times Index rises 0.15% to 4854.06. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 06, 2026 02:22 ET (07:22 GMT)
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