The latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

0021 GMT - The Huayue Nickel Cobalt HPAL--or high pressure acid leaching--project in which Nickel Industries owns a stake appears likely to keep producing more nickel than its nameplate capacity, Macquarie says following a site visit. "We believe the facility is on track to produce 80,000 tons nickel [contained metal in mixed hydroxide precipitate, or MHP] despite water supply challenges," the bank says. In 2025, the HNC site produced about 85,000 tons of contained nickel, roughly 40% more than its 60,000-ton annual nameplate capacity, says Macquarie. "However, higher sulphur prices could pressure HPAL margins," the bank says. "Site-visit discussions indicated that the operator is assessing sulphur recovery from tailings as a potential offset, although the economics and timing remain unconfirmed." Shares in Nickel Industries are up 1.0% at A$0.7725. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

2310 GMT [Dow Jones]--If Rio Tinto can agree sales of stakes in its infrastructure assets on attractive terms, it "could demonstrate execution, improve balance-sheet flexibility and facilitate capital recycling," says Morgan Stanley. "However, value accretion would largely depend on the terms of sale," says MS. The bank views any deals as more of an incremental positive and says it doesn't change its underweight recommendation. "We ... do not see potential asset monetization as transformative to materially alter the outlook for enhanced shareholder returns," MS says. The bank thinks Rio Tinto's valuation is stretched and that it will face headwinds from an increasingly challenged iron-ore market and comparatively limited visible copper growth beyond the Oyu Tolgoi ramp-up. Australian shares in the miner are up 0.5% early in Sydney, at A$166.78. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

1208 GMT - Suncor Energy's sale of interests in Eastern Canadian offshore assets for at least C$1.2 billion makes strategic sense, even if the transaction looks largely net present value-neutral, Raymond James' Michael Barth reckons. Suncor is selling its 48% interest in Terra Nova, 40% interest in White Rose and 38.6% interest in West White Rose offshore assets to Ithaca Energy. Barth notes Suncor also is transferring about C$1.4 billion of liabilities. The assets have a relatively short current life, and an exit frees up cash for share buybacks or accelerated growth in Suncor's core portfolio, the analyst says. Raymond James retains an outperform call and C$118 target on Suncor's shares. (robb.stewart@wsj.com)

1051 GMT - Laopu Gold now offers value, says Henry Soediarko of CrossASEAN Research. The analyst's assessment comes as the stock has lost about 60% of its value since hitting a peak in January, when gold prices surged to all-time highs. Compared with its July 2025 record, the stock has plunged by 70%. While plenty of pre-IPO investors have taken profit, Soediarko argues that the Chinese jeweler is "actually doing quite well" based on operating figures. Laopu Gold is different from Chow Tai Fook Jewellery in that it's "more of a global luxury house than a goldsmith," the analyst writes on Smartkarma. At a price/earnings ratio of 7 times and a 10% dividend yield, Laopu Gold may offer value, he adds. Shares last ended 0.6% lower at HK$325.20. (farah.elias@wsj.com)

0823 GMT - Malaysia's palm oil sector's outlook could improve as Malaysian palm oil inventories approach a cyclical peak and the lagged impact of El Nino begins to weigh on production, Public Investment Bank analyst Chong Hoe Leong says in a note. Inventories will likely peak around October before declining from November, providing a stronger basis for CPO prices to recover, he says. A stronger-than-expected El Nino could further tighten global palm oil supply, with production in Malaysia and Indonesia potentially falling 3%-8% under moderate to prolonged dry conditions, he reckons. Higher crude oil prices could also boost palm oil demand for biodiesel, while Indonesia's B50 biodiesel mandate is expected to provide additional structural support, he adds. Public IB maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia's plantation sector, pegging Sarawak Plantation and TA Ann as preferred picks.