The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
0544 GMT - BHP's appointment of Brandon Craig as CEO highlights the depth of the miner's internal bench and suggests continuity in its strategic direction, says Daniel Seeney, founder of FiveRock Asset Management. Craig has played a central role in broadening BHP's growth beyond iron ore, particularly in copper and potash, Seeney says. "So the timing of this transition looks sensible as Jansen moves closer to first production," he says. BHP's Jansen potash project is scheduled to move into production in 2027. BHP shares end 0.7% higher in Sydney at A$50.09. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)
0543 GMT - Sembcorp Industries appears well-protected from a rise in global gas prices, say CGS International's Lim Siew Khee and Meghana Kande in a note. This comes as the Singapore energy-solutions provider's long-term power contracts include fixed margins and cost-pass-through mechanisms, they say. Its piped natural gas import contracts with Indonesia and Malaysia could be leveraged for Sembcorp's own power generation or for sale to others affected by limited liquefied natural gas, the analysts add. Gas optimization moves within Sembcorp and potential higher-than-expected spreads between the market price of electricity and the cost of natural gas could offer gains for the company's overall earnings, they add. CGS International maintains its add rating and S$7.68 target price. Shares rise 3.25% to S$6.04. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0506 GMT - Brandon Craig's skills appear well matched to BHP's plans for future growth, particularly in copper, Global X senior investment strategist Marc Jocum says following Craig's promotion to CEO at BHP. "The appointment of Brandon Craig at BHP is effectively like putting the chief engineer of the 'copper engine' in the driver's seat," he says. Jocum says Global X is structurally bullish on materials, with copper its highest conviction exposure. Global X invests in BHP via its exchange-traded funds. "Copper is becoming the electricity of the modern economy critical to AI, electrification and energy transition, while supply remains structurally constrained," says Jocum. "Against that backdrop, BHP offers leveraged exposure to a tightening market just as leadership shifts toward execution." BHP shares are up 0.9% at A$50.18. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 18, 2026 01:44 ET (05:44 GMT)
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