The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
0222 GMT - A decline in Bank Mandiri's current account and savings account ratio points to structural funding pressure, UOB Kay Hian's Posmarito Pakpahan says in a report. Its funding mix has weakened as its CASA ratio has fallen sharply, with its cost-of-funds improvement perceived as cyclical and vulnerable to reversal amid rising Indonesian government bond yields and tighter liquidity, the analyst says. Management's 2026 net-interest-margin guidance of 4.6%-4.8% already acknowledges continued yield pressure, the analyst notes. The brokerage downgrades its rating on the stock to hold from buy with an unchanged target price of 5,150.00 rupiah. Shares last closed at 4,650.00 rupiah. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0218 GMT - Hansoh Pharmaceutical is expected to increase R&D spending in 2026, which should continue to fuel business-development income on a sustained basis, CMB International analysts Jill Wu and Andy Wang say in a note. The brokerage forecasts the company's 2026 revenue to rise 11.1% to 16.81 billion yuan, with net profit increasing 3.6% to 5.77 billion yuan. CMB International raises its target price to HK$46.41 from HK$45.26 while maintaining a buy rating. The stock last traded at HK$39.36. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)
0200 GMT - Lotte Chemical Titan's earlier purchases of cheaper feedstock before the start of the Mideast conflict are expected to support margins, narrow losses in 1Q, and potentially drive a return to profit in 2Q, Maybank IB analyst Jeremie Yap says in a note. However, the benefit is likely to be temporary as the company relies heavily on Middle East supplies, and the current naphtha feedstock inventory may only last until May, he says. Prolonged disruptions could force lower production or temporary shutdowns from June, he adds. Maybank upgrades Lotte Chemical Titan's rating to hold from sell and raises the target price to 0.35 ringgit from 0.21 ringgit to reflect a near-term trading opportunity on the earnings rebound. Shares are 2.9% higher at 0.36 ringgit.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
0129 GMT - The broader software sell-off appears overdone as current valuations don't factor in AI monetization opportunities, Wedbush analysts say in a note. "We strongly believe that the broader software sell-off is overblown as many enterprises are integrating AI across their tech stacks as a top IT priority and this dynamic is not being factored into current valuations," they say. The bottoming in the software trade has come into view, they reckon, adding that all indications are that the first quarter saw rapid AI adoption across semis, software, infrastructure, and derivative areas across tech. Microsoft, Salesforce and ServiceNow stand out as disconnected sell-offs relative to the AI monetization opportunities, they add. (monica.gupta@wsj.com)
0112 GMT - Tenaga Nasional's overseas renewable energy assets are expected to benefit from the recent surge in global energy prices, Hong Leong IB analyst Daniel Wong says in a note. The assets also support its efforts to expand beyond Malaysia and advance its long-term net zero goals, he says. Looking ahead to 2026-2027, Tenaga could benefit from assets that generate higher regulated income, new power projects and continued expansion in renewable energy, alongside a lower tax burden, he reckons. Tenaga is also well placed to benefit from Malaysia's steady economic growth in 2026, he adds. Hong Leong maintains a buy rating on Tenaga and keeps its target price at 17.25 ringgit. Shares are 0.1% lower at 14.02 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
0108 GMT - Home Product Center's 2026 earnings are expected to be muted compared with last year's as same-store sales growth tailwinds are limited amid rising fuel prices and potentially higher inflation, Citi analyst Preenapa Detchsri says in a note. The bank lowered its SSSG forecast to a 3% decline from a 1.5% increase. Citi also cuts its target price to 6.70 baht from 7.50 baht, while maintaining a neutral rating on the stock. Shares were last at 6.20 baht. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)
0018 GMT - Japanese stocks are higher in early trade as optimism over the U.S. economic outlook offsets concerns about the Iran war. Chip and electronics stocks are leading the gains following strong U.S. jobs data on Friday. Kioxia Holdings is up 1.9% and Keyence is 2.0% higher. The dollar is at 159.78 yen, compared with Y159.69 as of Friday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching developments in the Middle East after President Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran's power plants if the country's leaders don't agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. The Nikkei Stock Average is up 0.7% at 53513.71. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)
2345 GMT - Japanese stocks may decline as concerns about higher energy costs and a shortage of petrochemical products amid the Iran war continue. President Trump has threatened to destroy all of Iran's power plants if the country's leaders don't agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. Nikkei futures are down 0.1% at 53080 on the SGX. The dollar is at 159.79 yen, compared with Y159.69 as of Friday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are focusing on developments in the Middle East and any Japanese government steps to help businesses secure energy and petrochemical products. The Nikkei Stock Average rose 1.3% to 53123.49 on Friday. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 05, 2026 22:22 ET (02:22 GMT)
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