** Shares of Australia's Stockland Corp SGP.AX extend gains, rising as much as 1.9% to A$6.55, their highest level since May 12, 2008
** Connected communities creator reaffirms forecast of FY26 distribution per security of 25.2 Australian cents
** Says gearing levels expected to increase by December 31 due to capital deployment and settlement
** Stock on track to log a weekly gain of more than 4%
** SGP up 35.5% YTD
(Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru)
((Sneha.kumar@thomsonreuters.com))