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

0749 GMT - Equinor's deal to acquire 87.7% of the Lackawanna gas-fired power plant in Pennsylvania for $940 million increases the company's exposure to the rapidly growing U.S. electricity market, SB1 Markets analyst Teodor Sveen-Nilsen writes. The deal strengthens Equinor's integrated power strategy by combining power generation with its own significant gas operations in the Appalachian Mountains, he says. The market is supported by rising demand from electrification, data centers and industrial operations, he adds. "We view the acquisition of Lackawanna as neutral to positive, but believe that the Equinor share is fully valued unless a long-term oil price of $85-$90 per barrel is assumed." The bank reiterates its neutral rating on the stock with a 365 Norwegian kroner target price. Shares rise 1.6% to 394.20 kroner. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)

0632 GMT - Artificial-intelligence data centers are expected to move closer to adopting 800V direct-current power systems as demand for more powerful AI chips continues to rise, according to a Digitimes Research report. Although Nvidia isn't expected to introduce major power-related changes in 2026, power semiconductor suppliers are already rolling out products designed for future AI server platforms. Digitimes analyst Chiayang Yao says the transition is likely to accelerate with the mass production of Nvidia's Rubin Ultra GPUs in 2027. The report also highlights growing demand for next-generation power technologies that can boost energy efficiency and support higher computing workloads. As 800V systems become more standardized, competition is expected to center on cost, efficiency, power density and supply reliability, Yao says. (jie.yang@wsj.com)

0449 GMT - Towngas Smart Energy is likely to continue to face headwinds from its renewable-energy business, Citi analyst Pierre Lau says in a note, pointing to its 1H results missing expectations. The bank is skeptical on the company's assumption that 2H tariff cuts will be lower, and the negative effect of the tariff cut will be offset by reduced new-project development costs. Citi cuts the target price to 3.40 Hong Kong dollars from HK$3.80, while keeping its rating unchanged. Shares are up 4.1% at HK$3.28. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)

0038 GMT - For Jarden, Amplitude Energy's FY 2027 guidance was the main focus of its annual result. Amplitude signaled output of 26.6-28.5 petajoules equivalent, in line with consensus hopes at the midpoint. It reflects strong operational performance at the Orbost facility. FY 2027 capex guidance of A$250 million-A$310 million beat Jarden's estimates. Analyst Nik Burns says this is largely a timing issue. "But we estimate East Coast Supply Project total costs are now at or above the top end of the prior range," Jarden says. The next key catalyst will likely be the Juliet exploration well result, Jarden says. That well is about to be drilled. "We carry no value for this well in our valuation but could potentially add A$0.34/share upside in the success case," Jarden says. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

2056 GMT - Expand Energy's recently announced $1.25 billion acquisition of natural-gas supplier Twin Eagle from private-equity firm Five Point Infrastructure will increase the publicly traded energy company's access to critical assets without substantial capital outlays, says Gabriele Sorbara, a senior equity analyst at financial-services firm Siebert Williams Shank. Sorbara points to Twin Eagle's contractual rights to use third-party pipelines and storage tanks. "They're not really acquiring many assets from Twin Eagle," he says of Houston-based Expand Energy. "But it has improved their margins." He compares the approach with that of larger natural-gas producers such as EQT Corp., which about two years ago reacquired pipeline operator Equitrans Midstream in a roughly $5.5 billion deal. "Expand is doing it a little bit differently with Twin Eagle," Sorbara adds. "It's really asset-light." (luis.garcia@wsj.com; @lhvgarcia)

1902 GMT - Oil futures settle higher as the U.S. and Iran vie for control over the Strait of Hormuz and President Trump says he's in no hurry to resolve the conflict. Gains accelerated after Iranian state media said an Emirati oil tanker was seized in the strait. "The Iranian route is one of the conditions, and payment for services and Iran's permit are other conditions that oil tankers must observe," the Fars news agency said.The U.S. continues its blockade of Iranian ports,with Centcom saying that to date U.S. forces have "redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance." WTI settles up2.5% at $84.50 a barrel and Brent rises 2.7% to $90.87 a barrel. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

1813 GMT - Oil prices add to gains following an unconfirmed Iranian state media report that Iran seized a U.A.E.-owned oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Both the U.S. and Iran claim to have control over the strait, which has seen limited shipping since the reopening agreed under the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding unraveled in July. The 60-day MOU expired Monday. President Trump told Fox News earlier that he is in no hurry to resolve the conflict and warned Oman against interfering with the U.S. blockade of Iranian ships in the waterway. WTI is up 2.5% at $84.46 a barrel and Brent rises 2.6% to $90.82 a barrel. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

1254 GMT - Oil futures are moderately higher as President Trump tells Fox News he's in no hurry to resolve the conflict with Iran. Traders also await additional U.S. economic measures against Iran. "It appears to me that the U.S. is looking to starve the Iranians as their answer to this crisis more and more," Scott Shelton of TP ICAP says in a note. That policy could make it even harder for China to keep refinery run rates at their current level and make the diesel crisis worse, he adds. WTI is up 0.7% at $83.01 a barrel and Brent is up 0.9% at $89.34.