The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

0202 GMT - Press Metal Aluminium is likely to post lower 2H earnings as aluminum prices pull back from 2Q peaks, Maybank IB analyst Loh Yan Jin says in a note. However, medium-term prices of the metal are expected to stay supported by elevated energy costs and structural demand from renewable energy, electric vehicles and AI infrastructure, she says. The company has locked in about 65% of 2026 estimated sales at around $2,800 a ton, 60% of 2027 sales at $2,900 a ton and 30% of 2028 sales at $3,000 a ton, she adds. Loh says lower alumina prices could also allow Press Metal to reduce hedging. Maybank maintains a buy rating on the stock with a target price of 9.41 ringgit. Shares are 0.1% lower at 8.00 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0159 GMT - Starhill Global REIT's distribution per unit could grow steadily over the next three years, says RHB Research's Vijay Natarajan in a note. The Singapore real-estate investment trust's operational metrics are improving, with its FY 2026 portfolio occupancy gaining 2.6 percentage points from a year earlier to 97.2%, he notes. The REIT is likely to focus on asset sales, with the potential to exit some markets such as Japan and China, while selectively buying in Singapore, he says. The REIT received around 3 million Australian dollars related to a recent arbitration case, which could be distributed in FY 2027, he adds. RHB retains its buy rating and 0.66 Singapore dollar target price on Starhill Global. Units are flat at S$0.525. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0148 GMT - Capital A's outlook could remain positive, supported by its long-term expansion plans and potential to benefit from AirAsia's growth, despite near-term headwinds from the Iran conflict, Hong Leong IB analyst Daniel Wong says in a note. Management expects 3Q to be seasonally weaker before a stronger 4Q, driven by recovering air-travel demand and e-commerce activity, he notes. The company is also diversifying its earnings base to reduce reliance on the airline business, while maintaining a sustainable cash-flow position, he says. Wong cuts Capital A's 2026-2028 earnings estimates by 28%-38%, to factor in weaker-than-expected 2Q earnings. Hong Leong cuts Capital A's target price to 0.69 ringgit from 0.76 ringgit, while maintaining a buy rating on the stock. Shares are 4.55% higher at 0.35 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0143 GMT - The first dividend from Virgin Australia since its relisting in June last year sends an important signal. Virgin declared a payout of 7.60 Australian cents/share for the final six months of FY26. That partly reflects a leverage position of 0.9x, below a target of 1.0-2.0x. Analyst Jakob Cakarnis says the dividend was a quality surprise and "likely attracts more interest to the name on the implied annualized/targeted yield at [4% to 5%] current share price." It had a buy call and A$3.15/share price target on Virgin ahead of the result. Virgin is up 0.4% at $2.82. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

0132 GMT - MISC's potential Yinson acquisition could weigh on its share price, CGS International's Raymond Yap says in a note. Media reported MISC could be part of the consortium to take private Yinson, he notes. Concerns over Yinson's high gearing and offshore exposure could overshadow the potential benefits of greater scale and talent for MISC's offshore business, he says. However, higher crude tanker freight rates in 3Q are expected to lift its unit AET's earnings in 4Q with a lag, while seasonally stronger rates could sustain performance into 1Q 2027, he adds. CGS downgrades MISC's rating to reduce from add, and cuts its target price to 7.58 ringgit from 9.17 ringgit. Shares are 4.6% lower at 8.09 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0128 GMT - Harvey Norman's FY26 result was soft, but not as soft as Jarden had feared. Expectations ahead of the result were subdued because rivals such as JB Hi-Fi had highlighted headwinds, including around tech availability. Harvey Norman said Australia same-store sales swung higher in August after a weak July when they fell by 3.4%. Between Aug. 1 and 24, Australian written sales--products ordered but not yet delivered--rose by 3.8% on a year ago. "Overall, we expect modest negative consensus revisions, and a bit in there for everyone," says analyst Ben Gilbert. Harvey Norman is down 1.9% at A$4.415 today. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

0122 GMT - Genesis Energy's softer-than-expected annual earnings guidance helps to keep Forsyth Barr among the bears. Genesis forecast FY27 Ebitdaf of NZ$480 million-NZ$520 million. The miss to expectations reflects higher operating expenses, with Genesis's digital transformation project, higher brand costs and meter-cost transfer all contributing, analyst Andrew Harvey-Green says. "In Genesis's favor is the short-term South Island hydro position," he says. "Inflows are strong, more than offsetting North Island dryness." Genesis is down 1.9% at NZ$2.65 today. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

0119 GMT - Summerset's bull at Forsyth Barr likes the retirement-village operator's big strategic recalibration. Analyst Will Twiss says it directly addresses investor concerns about balance-sheet risk and operating discipline. Summerset plans to lower its targeted build rate from FY27 materially. It signaled an improved operating performance through a higher deferred management fee in its New Zealand villages. Summerset also outlined a cost-savings program of 30 million New Zealand dollars to 40 million New Zealand dollars. "Summerset is now targeting net debt below NZ$1.9 billion by the end of FY27, NZ$300 million below our prior forecast," Forsyth Barr says. "Collectively, the changes should make Summerset a materially more resilient and cash-generative business." (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

0113 GMT - Westgold Resources reports a beat on its dividend alongside in-line earnings, says RBC Capital Markets analyst James Redfern. Westgold's final dividend of 10 Australian cents a share is above consensus of A$0.076/share, while underlying Ebitda of A$1.10 billion compares to consensus at A$1.12 billion. "A new FY27 shareholder capital return policy of a minimum of 3cps [cents per share] through dividends and share buybacks was also announced," notes Redfern. He says the market will be watching for further updates on Westgold's growth strategy and outlook, planned for Sept. 9. RBC has an outperform rating and A$6.50/share target on Westgold. The stock is up 1.4% at A$6.65/share. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

0112 GMT - Malayan Banking's net interest margin could remain under pressure in 2H on intensifying deposit competition and higher funding costs in Malaysia, as well as unfavorable asset-liability repricing in Singapore and Indonesia, Hong Leong IB analyst Raymond Ng says in a note. Additional funding for the Ageas acquisition could add further pressure, although improving loan momentum should provide some offset, he says. Fee income is expected to remain supported by wealth and investment banking, while a recovery in global markets could ease the 1H drag. Higher technology spending may keep costs elevated, while rising gross impaired loans across auto, mortgages and small and medium-size enterprises warrant monitoring, he adds. Hong Leong maintains a hold rating on Maybank and keeps its target price at 11.10 ringgit. Shares are 0.8% higher at 10.70 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0110 GMT - Consensus expectations for Harvey Norman's FY27 net profit point to modest growth, which looks optimistic to Jefferies. Harvey Norman's update on trading in FY27 so far was weak, analyst Michael Simotas says. Australian sales fell by 3.4% in July, which is well below market hopes for 1H as a whole. "However, this is difficult to interpret," Jefferies says. "Harvey Norman called out product launch timing impact and pointed to rebound in August written orders." Jefferies had a hold call and A$4.40 price target on Harvey Norman ahead of its FY26 results. Harvey Norman is down 1.2% at A$4.445. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

0110 GMT - Malayan Banking's 2H will serve as a critical window to execute strategic pillars to bridge the ROE gap, after 1H ROE of 11.6% undershot its above 11.8% target, CIMB Securities analyst Ei Leen Tan says in a note. Execution should focus on defending net interest margin within the 2.05%-2.10% guided range, rebuilding noninterest income, containing asset-quality deterioration and keeping the cost-to-income ratio around 49%, while optimizing capital and risk-weighted assets, she says. 2H delivery will be needed to demonstrate that the 1H earnings weakness was cyclical rather than structural and restore confidence in its 13%-14% ROE ambition under its five-year plan, she adds. CIMB maintains its hold rating on Maybank and keeps target price at 10.50 ringgit. Shares are 0.8% higher at 10.70 ringgit.