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

0235 GMT - The Singapore dollar consolidates against its U.S. counterpart in the Asia session ahead of Fed Chair Warsh's speech at Jackson Hole later today. "Uncertainty over the Fed's reaction function and concerns that policymakers may be placing less emphasis on inflation control have increased market focus" on Warsh's comments, two strategists at OCBC Group Research say. "The USD could find support if Warsh and other Fed officials push back against currency debasement concerns and reaffirm their commitment to returning inflation to the 2% target," the strategists add. The U.S. dollar is little changed at 1.2706 Singapore dollars, LSEG data show. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0228 GMT - Sime Darby's rental and maintenance activities in its Australasia industrial division are expected to recover after several quarters of deferment, Maybank Investment Bank's Loh Yan Jin says in a note. Industrial demand across other Asian markets should remain supported by strong data-center and infrastructure spending, she writes. The analyst expects the motor division to continue benefiting from EV sales and support from vehicle manufacturers, while the Malaysian company's UMW unit will likely be supported by stable automotive demand and new model launches. Loh raises FY 2027-FY 2028 earnings forecasts for Sime Darby by 10%-15% following better-than-expected FY 2026 earnings. Maybank boosts the target price to 2.96 ringgit from 2.53 ringgit while maintaining a buy rating on the stock. Shares are 0.4% higher at 2.52 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0227 GMT - Pony AI's positive unit economics in China provide a reference model for overseas partners, say Daiwa analysts in a note. In China, each Pony AI robotaxi completed 20-25 paid rides every day and generated daily revenue of 320-340 yuan in 2Q, against the daily operating cost of 250 yuan. That implies a vehicle-level gross margin of around 30%, Daiwa says. That's driven by higher fleet density and continued operating cost reductions, the investment bank says. Pony's global 3,500-unit robotaxi fleet target remains intact, but expansion next year will depend on approvals. Daiwa maintains a buy rating on the stock and raises its ADR target price to $25 from $24. Shares last closed at $7.52. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

0224 GMT - Boss Energy bull Macquarie thinks investors are too wrapped up in the uranium producer's short-term outlook. "FY27 is not the destination, yet the market has over-focused on it," Macquarie says in a note. It says the year ahead will be one of transition for Boss, which disappointed with weak FY27 guidance reflecting lower grades. "We suggest looking longer term" and focusing on the ramp up to 1.9 million pounds a year, says the bank. "Honeymoon value will be better demonstrated when fully ramped," it says. Macquarie reiterates an outperform rating and raises its price target by 2.8% to A$1.80 a share. Shares of Boss are down 2.3% at A$1.48, adding to Thursday's 17% tumble. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

0216 GMT - The potential initial-public offering of Sembcorp Green Infra could boost parent company Sembcorp Industries' valuation by 5%-10%, says DBS Group Research's Pei Hwa Ho in a note. The Indian renewables subsidiary filed for an India IPO which could raise up to 37.50 billion rupees, with proceeds earmarked for debt repayment, the analyst says. She reckons Sembcorp Green Infra could support a low-to-mid-teens percentage fair multiple, citing its established scale, secured growth pipeline and profitability among factors. The IPO could unlock 400 million Singapore dollars to S$500 million of capital recycling for Sembcorp Industries, she adds. DBS retains a buy rating and S$7.30 target price on the Singapore energy solutions company. Shares are 0.8% lower at S$6.04. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

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.