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

0238 GMT - Brambles' bulls at UBS concede that wider investor sentiment toward the global pallet supplier may take time to improve. Maintaining a buy on the Australia-listed stock, the UBS analysts tell clients in a note that investors may need proof that Brambles has addressed its U.S. repair constraints before becoming more positive. They think a strong second half to the current fiscal year could be key to a fuller re-rate. Looking further ahead, UBS forecasts 5.4% underlying earnings growth in fiscal 2028, which they say is undemanding compared with Brambles' track record. UBS raises its target price by 0.8% to 24.50 Australian dollars. Shares are up 2.1% at A$19.195. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0234 GMT - Genting earnings visibility could remain weak as rising geopolitical tensions and slower economic activity could weigh on the global hospitality and entertainment industry, Public Investment Bank analyst Eltricia Foong says in a note. Operating costs are also expected to rise in 2H, due to higher energy costs, she says. Genting's U.S. operations may take longer to improve amid a weaker job market and softer consumer confidence, while elevated gearing remains a concern given ongoing investments by its subsidiaries, she adds. Foong cuts Genting's 2026-2028 earnings estimates by an average of 18% citing to higher costs. Public IB cuts Genting's target price to 2.35 ringgit from 2.90 ringgit, while maintaining a neutral rating. Shares are 4.9% lower at 2.13 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0220 GMT - Concerns about NetEase's recently launched game "Sea of Remnants" seem resolvable, Barclays analysts say in a research note. After a mediocre launch last month, the analysts reckon that gamers' biggest complaints include a steep learning curve at first, substantial time required for gameplay and not enough in-game rewards. They think these issues are fairly easily to address and the latest update seems to have pushed the game in the right direction. NetEase isn't likely to roll out the game globally anytime soon given focus will be on improving the game, they add. Shares are 0.7% higher at HK$194.80. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0156 GMT - Human Made's sales are likely to grow on floor-space additions at existing stores and opening of its first flagship store in Japan, say SMBC Nikko Securities analysts in a research report. Operating profit of the clothing label that develops and runs streetwear and lifestyle brand 'Human Made' should jump 75% for fiscal year ending Jan. 2028, the brokerage estimates. The company is expected to capitalize on booming overseas demand with the opening of its first directly managed store overseas. The brokerage initiates coverage of the stock with outperform rating and target price of 2,500 yen. Shares are 19% higher at Y1,620. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0143 GMT - Telekom Malaysia's 2H earnings could be stronger on lower operating costs, says Affin Hwang IB analyst Isaac Chow says in a note. Telekom Malaysia could benefit from stronger investor demand for defensive stocks amid heightened global macroeconomic and local political uncertainties, given its resilient earnings profile, he says. The company's extensive fiber and submarine cable infrastructure should continue to benefit from Malaysia's data center expansion and AI adoption, he adds. Affin Hwang raises Telekom's target price to 9.00 ringgit from 8.30 ringgit, and keeps a buy rating on the stock. Shares are 3.3% lower at 7.83 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0134 GMT - Increasing the constituents in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Composite Index to 50 from 30 appears positive, as it should provide a more representative market benchmark, reduce concentration in large-cap sectors and broaden industry representation, CIMB Securities says. While weightage of financial services and utilities could come down to 36.8% and 15.8%, from 42.8% and 18.8%, respectively, real estate, industrials, energy, consumer and technology sectors could have more exposure, says analyst Ivy Ng Lee Fang in a note. New constituents could benefit from index-related buying, greater visibility and improved liquidity. However, passive inflows into the new 20 constituents will be spread across two phases, with half the index-weight adjustment in December 2026 and the remainder in June 2027, she notes. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0132 GMT - Zip's FY 2027 outlook leaves its bulls at UBS even more confident in the Australian payment provider's ability to maintain U.S. growth in a tough macro environment. With an unchanged buy rating on the stock, analysts Lucy Huang and Ailsa Lei say the better-than-expected guidance increases their comfort on the defensive characteristics of installment-payment offerings. They also like Zip's strong product pipeline, which they think offers potential upside to their U.S. volume forecasts for FY 2028 and 2029. The pair tells clients in a note that the stock's earnings multiple is attractive to both payment peers and Australian banks. UBS raises its target price 15% to 4.70 Australian dollars. Shares are down 8.5% at A$2.79. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0127 GMT - Zip's bull at Jefferies thinks the Australian installment-payment provider is poised to benefit from continued growth in usage from its consumer customers. Analyst Evan Karatzas points out in a note that transactions per customer have more than doubled over the past three years to 13 per year. He tells clients that he sees a clear pathway for Zip to drive this above 20 over the medium term, which will sustain Zip's U.S. growth profile. Jefferies keeps a buy rating on the stock, with a target price of 3.80 Australian dollars. Shares are down 9.5% at A$2.76. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0115 GMT - Zip's bull at Macquarie flags tight control of U.S. credit quality as a highlight of the Australian payment provider's annual result. A note from one of the investment bank's analysts highlights Zip's achievement in keeping U.S. net bad debts within its target range while still maintaining revenue growth and margin expansion. This target is being maintained going forward even with FY 2027 U.S. volume guidance head of where the market had anticipated, the note adds. Macquarie keeps an outperform rating on the stock and raises its target price 2.9% to 3.50 Australian dollars. Shares are down 11% at A$2.72. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

0114 GMT - Genting could face pressure from ongoing Iran war-related disruptions, including higher airfares and potential flight cancellations, which could weigh on discretionary travel demand to regional leisure destinations, Hong Leong IB analyst Chee Kok Siang says in a note. He cuts Genting's 2026-2028 earnings estimates by 31%, 28% and 25%, respectively, after its 2Q results missed expectations. Hong Leong cuts Genting's target price to 2.02 ringgit from 2.35 ringgit, while maintaining a hold rating on the stock. Shares are 4.5% lower at 2.14 ringgit.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0020 GMT - The Nikkei Stock Average falls 0.5% to 65907.18, tracking Wall Street's losses overnight. Growing doubts over the efficacy of the U.S. Treasury Department's bond buyback plan that dragged U.S. equities lower on Thursday appear to be spilling over into Japan. "Markets aren't buying" this plan, the analyst team at InTouch Capital Markets say in commentary. Among the worst performers on Japan's benchmark index, Asics Corp. falls 3.5%, Fast Retailing drops 3.4%, and Sumco Corp. sheds 3.2%. The dollar is at 158.98 yen, compared with Y158.50 around Thursday's Tokyo market close. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0001 GMT - Regis Resources' FY result reinforces Barrenjoey's view that M&A remains on the agenda for the Australian gold producer. While the miner's 20 Australian cents a share payout beats expectations, "the dividend is pretty low" when taking into account Regis's cash position and robust free cash flow generation, Barrenjoey says. "RRL in our view is telegraphing that M&A remains high on the agenda, and we believe is likely to be an active participant in any auctions of assets that come to market," says the bank. Barrenjoey has an underweight rating and an A$5.60/share target on Regis. The stock ended Thursday at A$8.23.