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

0342 GMT - Malaysia's automotive sector's outlook could be supported by strong sales from national carmakers Perodua and Proton, Hong Leong IB analyst Daniel Wong says in a note. Perodua is expected to sustain its sales in 2026, supported by its strong position in the affordable segment, while Proton should benefit from demand for its new Saga model and affordable EV and plug-in hybrid EV models, he says. Wong raises Malaysia's 2026 auto sales estimate to 800,000 units from 780,000 units expected previously, reflecting stronger national car sales. Hong Leong maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian automotive sector and pegs MBM Resources and Sime Darby as its top picks. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0326 GMT - Kokusai Electric likely has large scope to improve margins over the medium term, Nomura's Atsushi Yoshioka says in a research report. First, its sales growth is expected to exceed the wafer-fabrication-equipment market's average and its price hikes will probably pass on cost increases, the analyst says. Second is a rise in the Japanese company's weighting of equipment with high added value such as minibatch atomic layer deposition systems. The WFE manufacturer also has raised this fiscal year's sales guidance for advanced packaging applications to 15.0 billion yen from Y6.0 billion. Nomura raises the sock's target price to Y11,800 from Y11,300 with unchanged buy rating. Shares are 4.6% lower at Y8,258. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0236 GMT - Kossan Rubber Industries' proposed acquisition of cleanroom-product distributors looks positive, as this aligns with its long-term strategy of differentiating itself from its Chinese peers through specialized rubber gloves, including cleanroom gloves, Hong Leong IB analyst Chee Kok Siang says in a note. The acquisitions could leverage the targets' established distribution capabilities and generate potential synergies, he says. The targets are expected to contribute about 6.1% and 5.6% to Kossan's core profit in 2027 and 2028, respectively, he adds. Hong Leong maintains a hold rating on Kossan and keeps its target price at 1.24 ringgit. Shares are 0.9% higher at 1.11 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0213 GMT - While BlueScope Steel is delivering good cost savings, Macquarie questions what will drive its stock from here. "U.S. conditions are as good as they get," while conditions in Australia and New Zealand are weak, Macquarie says. BlueScope's execution is strong and the prospect of capital returns is attractive, "however we think these factors are largely discounted" in the steelmaker's share price, it says. The bank trims its target on the stock to A$34.35 from A$35.95 and downgrades to neutral from outperform. Shares are up 2.5% at A$32.29. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

0212 GMT - Frencken Group's earnings are likely to be stronger in 2H than in 1H, as orders will probably pick up in the semiconductor segment, RHB Research's Alfie Yeo says in a report. The technology company's volume production for some semiconductor programs are poised to ramp up in 2H, the analyst says. A key client is expected to increase orders following a strong outlook that includes opportunities to support its own customers' capacity-expansion plans. Frencken's backend customers are also bolstering production. RHB Research raises the stock's target price to 3.73 Singapore dollars from S$3.57, with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 0.75% higher at S$2.69. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0205 GMT - BHP could be expected to take "a more cash flow-oriented approach" to dividends ahead, as commodity prices trade above long-term averages, Macquarie says. BHP has a policy of paying a minimum of 50% of underlying profit at every reporting period. The miner surprised with a final dividend of US$0.99/share, a 72% payout ratio. Macquarie attributes the beat--22% higher than consensus--to stronger free cash flow and proceeds from a silver-streaming deal. The bank raises its target on BHP by roughly 6% to 58.50 Australian dollars a share. It reiterates a neutral rating. Shares are down 0.1% at A$63.81 following a 2.7% gain Tuesday. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

0148 GMT - ComfortDelGro's growth is likely to be driven by international expansion, DBS Group Research's Zheng Feng Chee says in a research report. Given Singapore's limited market size, the company has leveraged its strong balance sheet to actively pursue international acquisitions such as A2B Australia, the analyst notes. These acquisitions enhance its geographic diversification, complement existing operations, and are expected to be earnings accretive. DBS raises its 2027 earnings forecast for the transport operator by 5% to reflect faster recovery at London-based Addison Lee and continued U.K. public transport momentum. It raises the stock's target price to 1.40 Singapore dollars from S$1.30 with an unchanged hold rating. Shares are 0.7% lower at S$1.36. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0132 GMT - Dialog Group's fiscal 4Q earnings could benefit from stronger upstream contribution and resilient terminal operations, while ongoing Pengerang expansions provide further earnings visibility, RHB IB analyst Lee Yun Leon says in a note. Core PATMI is expected at 163 million-180 million ringgit, up from 3Q's 148 million ringgit, supported by higher oil prices and stable terminal operations, he reckons. Midstream earnings should remain defensive, with tank terminal utilization above 90% and predominantly take-or-pay contracts, he says. The Phase 3 Pengerang Deepwater Terminals expansion will add 614,000 cubic meters of storage capacity and could generate 135 million-150 million ringgit in annual terminal revenue upon full commissioning, he adds. RHB maintains Dialog's buy rating and target price of 2.44 ringgit. Shares are unchanged at 1.93 ringgit.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0128 GMT - Citi thinks there's a modest downside risk to FY 2027 earnings and cash-flow forecasts for Evolution Mining. That reflects higher-than-anticipated guidance on costs and capex, it says. It could be partially offset by stronger gold prices, Citi says. The bank also notes that Evolution's copper-price assumptions for the year ahead are lower than its own. Citi has a neutral rating on Evolution, with a A$13.70/share target. The stock is up 0.2% at A$13.67. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

0125 GMT - KPJ Healthcare's 2H earnings could pick up, driven by higher revenue intensity, patient volumes and continued cost optimization, says TA Securities analyst Tan Kong Jin in a note. Health tourism remains a key growth area, with its contribution to KPJ at about 6.5%, versus around 15% for peers IHH Healthcare and Sunway Healthcare, he notes. KPJ plans to expand its centers of excellence to 15 over the next five years, focusing on stroke, cancer, cardiovascular and orthopaedic care. It also targets adding about 2,200 beds to reach 6,270 by end-2030, on rising demand for private healthcare from an ageing population, he adds. TA Securities has a buy rating and target price of 3.61 ringgit. Shares are 2.6% higher at 3.10 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0113 GMT - Judo Capital keeps its bull at Morgans after flagging more strong growth across its current fiscal year. Analyst Nathan Lead keeps a buy rating on the Australian business lender, telling clients in a note that he expects 12% annual growth in gross loans and advances, which is consistent with the company's target of above-industry growth. Lead is looking for a FY 2027 net interest margin of 3.15%, up from the 3.13% that Judo reported for the 12 months through June 30. He acknowledges the risks that come with Judo's higher relative exposure to economic cycles, but sees compensation from the potential returns on offer. Morgans trims its target price 3.4% to 1.42 Australian dollars. Shares are down 4.7% at A$1.02, but still up by 10% so far this week. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0113 GMT - While Evolution Mining raised its final dividend by 62% to a record high, "the market was looking for more," says Macquarie. The FY payout of 41 Australian cents a share, while a 2% beat versus Macquarie's expectations, is a 5% miss to consensus, the bank notes. FY27 guidance is also soft due to lower-than-anticipated forecast copper output and higher-than-anticipated all-in sustaining costs, it says. Macquarie has a neutral rating and A$11.50/share target on Evolution. Shares are up 0.6% at A$13.73, after initially falling as low as A$13.16.