The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
0706 GMT - Darda Energy & Minerals' business model that covers high-margin power generation, steel manufacturing and ferro alloys production appears well-diversified, HDFC Securities' Ashish Karkera says in a research report. This business model enables the Indian company to mitigate sector-specific risks and capitalize on India's infrastructure-led growth cycle, the analyst says. Its strategic expansion in captive power capacity and ferro alloy production are set to drive operational leverage, enhancing margins amid favorable demand tailwinds from steel-intensive sectors. The brokerage recommends the stock as its pick of the week, suggesting investors can buy the stock in the 550.00-565.00 rupee range and add on dips in the 495.00-505.00 rupee area. Shares are 4.7% higher at 581.05 rupees. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0652 GMT - Aluminum prices jump to their highest level in four years as President Trump's looming blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and failed talks with Iran threaten to further disrupt global supplies. The Middle East accounts for about 9% of global output and is heavily reliant on the waterway to export aluminum and import the raw materials needed to produce the metal, with key producers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. In early European trading, three-month aluminum futures on the London Metal Exchange rise 0.8% to $3,540 a metric ton, the highest since March 2022. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)
0643 GMT - PetroChina's earnings and cash flow are likely to remain elevated, says DBS Group Research's Pei Hwa Ho in a note. This is likely to be supported by higher oil prices averaging around $75 a barrel this year and $65 a barrel next year, she says. The Chinese oil major's dividend yield is likely to be around 5%, the analyst adds, based on a payout ratio of around 50%-55%. PetroChina's shares are highly correlated to oil-price movements, given that a bulk of its operating profit stem from its exploration and production segment, she adds. DBS lifts its 2026-2027 earnings forecasts by 1%-9%. DBS raises its stock target price to HK$12.20 from HK$10.00 and retains its buy rating. Shares rise 1.7% to HK$10.98. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0627 GMT - SK Telecom's 1Q earnings could be largely in line with market consensus, Meritz Securities' Jeong Ji-soo and Park Geon-young say. Increased marketing costs likely led to a decline in operating profit for the January-March period, despite a possible increase in the number of 5G-service subscribers, the analysts write in a note. They estimate SK Telecom's 1Q operating profit at 506.3 billion won, compared with the market consensus estimate of 508.0 billion won. They expect the company to ramp up dividend payments starting in 1Q, with dividend-per-share likely to rise to 3,540 won in 2026 from 1,660 won in 2025. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)
0622 GMT - ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co. looks well-positioned in India's asset management industry, Citi Research's Dipanjan Ghosh says in a research report. Drivers include its wide product basket with sustained new additions and its diversified distribution engine coupled with robust and stable performance of key equity schemes that have led to sustained market-share accretion, the analyst says. The Indian asset manager has been a pioneer in product innovation and risk management, with an agile business model indicated by its ability to quickly capture new business opportunities. Citi Research initiates coverage of the stock with a buy rating and a target price of 3,900.00 rupees. Shares are 0.7% lower at 3,367.40 rupees. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0620 GMT - J&T Global Express likely has sufficient cash flow to support sustained investment in its infrastructure, say DBS Group Research analysts in a note. The company generated free cash flow of US$494 million in 2025, compared with US$252 million in 2024, the analysts note. The logistics provider's larger planned capital expenditure is likely to enhance its operating efficiency and strengthen global service capabilities, they add. DBS raises its 2026 and 2027 Ebitda projections to US$1.3 billion and US$1.6 billion, respectively. The bank raises its target price to HK$13.50 from HK$12.50 and maintains a buy rating. Shares fall 1.7% to HK$10.90. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0618 GMT - Nordic markets are seen opening lower, with IG calling the OMXS30 down 1.2% at around 3073. The U.S. and Iran summit in Islamabad ended in a strategic stalemate, but without a full-scale breakdown, SEB data scientist and junior strategist Dana Malas writes. "Two important questions need to be clarified in the near future: (1) does the temporary ceasefire - two weeks from April 8 - still apply, which allows for new talks, and (2) does the Strait of Hormuz remain effectively closed?" President Trump's latest announcement is that the U.S. will take over control of the Strait of Hormuz from later today. Stock markets in Asia early Monday show a reasonable but still restrained negative reaction to the weekend's news. U.S. and European stock market futures point clearly lower. OMXS30 closed at 3109.90, OMXN40 at 2561.83 and OBX at 1999.10. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)
0604 GMT - Primark looks set to struggle in a tough retail environment, RBC Capital Markets' Richard Chamberlain and Manjari Dhar write in a note to investors, cutting their rating on owner Associated British Foods to underperform from sector perform. Primark, ABF's most important business, may run into problems with its attempts to elevate its offer, which could hit consumer perceptions of good value in its fashion range, Chamberlain and Dhar say. Competition from China's Shein and a weak digital offer outside the U.K. add fresh headwinds, they say. RBC cuts its target price on ABF to 1850 pence from 2050 pence. Shares last closed at 1920 pence. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)
0549 GMT - Dohome's same-store sales growth in early 2Q looks solid, but payback risk is building, CGS International's Chaiyatorn Sricharoen says in a report. The home improvement retailer's stock-piling of building materials probably continued into early 2Q. The brokerage estimates the Thai company's SSSG in the first week of April at around 5%-6%, driven by back-office sales. However, this strong SSSG is unlikely to be sustained, the analyst says. Once stockpiling fades, Dohome's SSSG could weaken more sharply than usual, as part of future demand has likely been pulled forward. The brokerage lowers the stock's target price to THB3.40 from THB4.00, with an unchanged reduce rating. Shares last closed at THB3.38. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0542 GMT - Markets are trading in rather textbook risk-off fashion, says Michael Brown, strategist at Pepperstone. Crude benchmarks have advanced, with front-month Brent and WTI both back above $100 a barrel, while the U.S. dollar is again acting like its the only haven in town, he adds. Losses are seen elsewhere, with equity futures in the red. All these moves, though, it must be said, are relatively contained in the grand scheme of things, he says. The market is viewing President Trump's latest move as largely being a negotiating gambit, as opposed to representing the new normal from here on in, he adds. (james.glynn@wsj.com; X @JamesGlynnWSJ)
0527 GMT - Haidilao International founder Zhang Yong's decision to raise his stake in the Chinese restaurant operator could support its shares, say Nomura's Jizhou Dong and Summer Qian in a note. Zhang, currently Haidilao's chairman, aims to buy "not less than HK$100 million" of shares within the next 12 months, the analysts say. While the planned increase is not too significant, it implies the founder's and management's confidence in the company, they say. Haidilao's move to optimize its portfolio, deepen its footprint in lower-tier Chinese cities and scale multiple brands could drive a steady recovery in sales momentum, they add. Nomura retains its buy rating and HK$18.40 target price. Shares fall 3.5% to HK$14.56. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0501 GMT - Indonesia's dairy sector is likely to benefit from the government's free school meals program, as it drives a step-up in consumption, says Bahana Sekuritas. The program is expected to add demand equivalent to 15% of the broader dairy market and 30% of the liquid milk segment over the next two years, the analysts estimate. They note the program may support building consumption habits that extend demand beyond the program's lifespan. The brokerage initiates coverage of the sector with an overweight rating, starting coverage of Cisarua Mountain Dairy, Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur and Ultrajaya Milk Industry with buy ratings and target prices of IDR6,200.00, IDR9,200.00, and IDR2,500.00, respectively. Shares of Cisarua Mountain Dairy, Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur, and Ultrajaya Milk Industry last at IDR4,430.00, IDR7,300.00, and IDR1,500.00, respectively. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 13, 2026 03:06 ET (07:06 GMT)
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