The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
0348 GMT - CK Asset's rosy property sales outlook should support its profit, Morningstar's Jeff Zhang says in a note. Improving housing demand and rising home prices in Hong Kong supported CK Asset's property sales and margins in the first half, he says. New projects are expected to launch soon, providing further support to the property business's revenue growth, he says. Recurring income from its property management, utilities and infrastructure business should also underpin earnings. Still, the expected improvement in property development margins appears priced into CK Asset's shares, leading Morningstar to retain its HK$45.00 fair-value estimate. Shares rise 2.2% to HK$46.54. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0324 GMT - Korean Air Lines' 2026 operating profit could be twice the market consensus, supported by stronger-than-expected air cargo demand driven by the artificial intelligence investment boom, say KB Securities' Kang Seong-jin and Kim Ji-yun. The analysts expect the South Korean flag carrier's operating profit to jump 56% year-over-year to 1.731 trillion won this year, compared with a market consensus estimate of 866.60 billion won. With the value of those AI-related shipments rising sharply, shippers have become less resistant to higher air freight rates, they note. Although jet fuel prices are expected to decline in 2H, cargo freight rates are unlikely to fall, they add. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)
0318 GMT - L&T Technology Services is likely to heavily rely on its artificial-intelligence capabilities and services, based on management commentary, Nomura analysts says in a research report. The company believes its early AI investments have given it at least 6-9 months lead time versus competition in engineering intelligence and expects to gain market share, the analysts note. The Indian engineering and technology services provider's differentiation is expected to stem from leveraging technology, investing in electric vehicle, hybrid, and software-defined vehicle platforms, and strong customer rapport. Nomura slightly raises the stock's target price to 3,180.00 rupees from 3,150.00 rupees to reflect marginally tweaked FY 2027-2028 EPS estimates, with unchanged neutral rating. Shares last closed at 3,291.40 rupees. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0304 GMT - Rio Tinto needs to produce about 173 million metric tons of iron ore from its Pilbara operations in 2H to achieve the midpoint of 2026 guidance. RBC Capital Markets analyst James Redfern thinks that should be "comfortable" for the giant miner. Rio Tinto shipped about 157.7 million tons in 1H, during which exports were disrupted by cyclones. "Importantly, 2026 production guidance remains unchanged while copper C1 cost guidance is reduced," says Redfern. RBC keeps an underperform rating and a target price of A$143 on Rio Tinto's shares, which are up 1.2% at A$165.55. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)
0229 GMT - Malaysia's energy sector will likely remain supported by stable oil prices and a stronger focus on energy security, Kenanga IB analyst Lim Sin Kiat says in a note. Brent crude is forecast to average $80 a barrel in 2026 and $74 a barrel in 2027, as easing Middle East tensions are expected to keep supply disruptions contained, he writes. Lim expects higher investment in upstream oil and gas projects from next year, thanks to the energy-security theme. Near-term earnings could remain under pressure, as spending typically lags behind oil-price movements. Kenanga maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia's oil and gas sector. It names Petronas Dagangan as its top pick, citing attractive valuations after concerns about fuel-subsidy reforms eased following the reinstatement of diesel subsidies.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
0215 GMT - Krungthai Card stands to benefit from healthy asset quality and good cost control, ttb wealth securities' Rawisara Suwanumphai says in a research report. Asset quality of the provider of credit card services and personal loans has proven resilient, as its focus on low- to mid-income salaried customers leaves it less exposed to inflation pressures, the analyst says. Also, its disciplined cost control is expected to offset expenses from its new core IT system in 3Q. Moreover, its insurance brokerage business offers a capital-light, high-return fee income opportunity for the Thai company. The brokerage raises the stock's target price to 44.00 baht from 35.00 baht, with an unchanged buy rating. Shares last closed at 36.75 baht. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0209 GMT - Japan's core machinery orders fell 12.4% in May, Wednesday's data showed, but underlying corporate investment appetite is likely to remain resilient despite Middle East uncertainties, says Norinchukin Research Institute economist Takeshi Minami. The sharp fall largely reflects a pullback after April's 8.7% rise, rather than a fundamental breakdown, he says. Solid corporate earnings, AI investments, labor shortages and expectations for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's growth strategy are expected to support capital expenditures, he adds. "If the situation in Iran trends toward resolution, capital spending indicators like machinery orders will likely stay solid."(megumi.fujikawa@wsj.com)
0200 GMT - Malaysia's utilities sector is expected to get more supporting 2H from investment in new power plants, electricity grid upgrades and gas infrastructure, TA Securities analyst Hafriz Hezry says in a note. Rising electricity demand, the energy transition and efforts to diversify fuel sources following the Iran conflict are expected to drive spending across the sector, he says. Data-center expansion, including potential investment redirected from the Middle East, could provide an additional boost to power demand, he adds. TA Securities maintains an overweight rating on the Malaysian utilities sector, pegging Tenaga Nasional, Samaiden and Malakoff as top picks.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
0145 GMT - Brother Industries stands to benefit from data-center-related demand, say SMBC Nikko Securities analysts in a research report. Its machinery segment is likely seeing higher demand for machine tools for data centers, says the brokerage, which forecasts the segment's business profit growth at 82% for this fiscal year. Also, the Japanese electronics and electrical equipment company's market share for inkjet and laser printers is rising, the analysts note. The brokerage initiates coverage of the stock with an outperform rating and a target price of 5,400 yen. Shares are 2.3% higher at Y3,822. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0131 GMT - Genesis Minerals' planned merger with Vault Minerals could shake loose assets that the new management doesn't consider vital to the business going forward. The combined company will have a market value of 12.6 billion Australian dollars, making it the third-largest gold producer on the ASX. It will produce some 600,000-700,000 ounces of gold annually. Jarden notes 600,000 oz per year will come from the combined Leonora and Laverton hubs. "We consider it likely that the other assets (Deflector, Sugar Zone, and the combined Bardoc/Mt Monger complex) are non-core and therefore may be potential candidates for divestment," says analyst Ben Lyons.(david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)
0122 GMT - Evolution Mining's signals around its FY27 earnings guidance broadly align with Ord Minnett's expectations. Evolution says it will provide fuller guidance at its annual result in August. Still, the gold miner says it doesn't expect material changes to production, while anticipating that inflation will add some 4-5% to all-in sustaining costs. Evolution also points to an up to A$60 million rise in sustaining expenditure, and A$130 million-A$160 million of higher mine development costs. Ord Minnett anticipates Evolution's all-in sustaining capex will rise by A$200/oz in FY27 compared with the prior 12 months. That would more than offset Ord Minnett's higher copper price forecast, analyst Paul Kaner says. Evolution is down 0.9% at A$11.68 today. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)
0117 GMT - Amplitude Energy's share price is up 2.6% to 1.38 Australian dollars after reporting new production records at its Orbost gas-processing plant in Australia. That leads it to outperform other ASX-listed energy stocks in early trading. Amplitude said Orbost this month set a new seven-day production record of 73.8 terajoules per day. Ord Minnett says this is a positive indicator of FY27 guidance. Amplitude's net debt position of A$37 million at the end of June was also lower than Ord Minnett expected. "This suggests either better cost controls or potentially positive working capital movements compared to our estimates," analyst Tim Elder says. Further detail on net debt should come at Amplitude's annual result next month. Ord Minnett had a A$2.60/share price target on Amplitude ahead of the 4Q update. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 14, 2026 23:48 ET (03:48 GMT)
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