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

0539 GMT - Archi Indonesia's 3Q earnings performance is likely to be stronger, UOB Kay Hian's Benyamin Mikael says in a research report. The main driver is higher gold sales volumes of 33,000-36,000 ounces as production ramps up at Araren and Marawuwung mining operations in Indonesia, the analyst says. The mining company expects gold production to increase 15% in 2026, supported by improved gold grades and contributions from underground mining. However, the brokerage cuts its 2026 and 2027 net-profit forecasts for the company by 13.4% and 24.9%, respectively, to mostly reflect higher cost pressures. It lowers the stock's target price to 2,200.00 rupiah from IDR2,750.00 with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are 3.5% lower at IDR1,255.00. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0228 GMT - Iron ore is lower in early Asian trading. Expectations of strong supply in 2H are putting pressure on the black metal, according to Nanhua Futures analysts in a research note. They also note that global iron ore shipments rose sequentially in the last week of August. The most-traded iron-ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange is down 0.4% at CNY719.0 a ton. (tracy.qu@wsj.com)

2317 GMT - Australian mining and metals companies on the whole reported solid earnings--their highest in five years, says RBC Capital Markets. Gold and lithium producers posted record profits while higher copper prices increased earnings for Sandfire and diversified miners BHP, Rio Tinto and South32, the broker says following the recent reporting season. It says dividends for the sector came in 13% above expectations, underpinned by dividend reinstatements. "However, the sting in the tail for the metals and mining sector is higher FY27 cost guidance particularly for the gold and iron ore producers," it says. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

2236 GMT - NRW Holdings's contract extension for the Karara iron ore mine helps to reduce risk around the stock, although not by enough for Jefferies to turn bullish. The contract will now run for five more years to February 2032. It's valued at A$960 million. Jefferies estimates this represents a step-up in annual average revenue to A$192 million, from A$160 million. "This is one of two large mining contracts on which we have been awaiting some form of extension, the other being Curragh," says analyst John Campbell. "Whilst we were confident on roll-over for Karara, nonetheless, we see this as a de-risking event." NRW ended Tuesday at A$7.82, just above Jefferies's A$7.60/share price target. It retains a "hold" call on the stock. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

1824 GMT - Gold futures fall for a third straight session as a global bond selloff pushes yields up and the flare-up in the Middle East sends crude prices higher. The rise in oil prices raises concerns about inflation and implications for Fed interest-rate policy, particularly after Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh expressed concerns about inflation last week. Front month gold settles down 1.9% in New York at $4,348.00 a troy ounce. Silver falls 2.4% to $64.618 a troy ounce. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

1556 GMT - Gold futures are lower for a third straight session in response to rising bond yields and the jump in oil prices on renewed Middle East tensions. "A pricier crude could continue to tighten monetary policy expectations and drive yields higher, limiting any rebound potential for gold," DHF Capital's CEO Bas Kooijman says in a note. U.S. economic data including ISM surveys and Friday's payrolls could shape rate bets ahead of the Sept. 16 FOMC meeting, he says. "Softer figures could ease the pressure on gold, while stronger data or more hawkish Fed comments may extend the decline." Most active gold is down 1.4% in New York at $4,418.50 a troy ounce. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

1420 GMT - Air Liquide has room for some incremental improvements should activist investor Elliott Management push for them, and could announce a share buyback at an event with investors next month, analysts at Bernstein say in a research note. Press reports indicated Elliott has taken a stake in the French supplier of industrial gases. Elliott declined to comment, and Air Liquide didn't respond to a request for comment. "There isn't an obvious traditional activist playbook for Air Liquide," Bernstein says. The company has worked on cutting costs and improving profitability and has a record order backlog, the analysts say. The recent acquisition of DIG Airgas means Air Liquide's balance sheet is less underutilized than in the past, they add. However, Air Liquide likely has room for a 6 billion-euro buyback, according to Bernstein. Shares rise 2.2%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

1102 GMT - Palm oil prices ended higher, thanks to strength in soybean oil prices and persistent concern over El Nino affecting long-term output, says David Ng, a trader at Kuala Lumpur-based Iceberg X. The trader sees crude palm oil prices facing resistance at 4,850 ringgit a ton and finding support at 5,050 ringgit a ton. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for November delivery ended MYR79 higher at MYR4,973 a ton. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

0944 GMT - Symrise has modestly improved its business portfolio by offloading its American terpene-ingredients maker, Mwb Research's Abed Jarad writes in a note to clients. The German ingredients group said Tuesday the divestment of AmeriTerpenes to private-equity firm Mutares, for an undisclosed sum, will sharpen its focus on growth areas. "It reduces exposure to a more commodity-like business while preserving supply continuity through long-term commercial agreements," Jarad says. Mwb keeps a hold rating and a 100-euro target on Symrise stock. Shares gain around 1.4% to 93.46 euros.