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

0206 GMT - Thai healthcare companies' earnings are unlikely to be largely weighed by recent floods in some areas, says Maybank Securities' Nontapat Sahakitpinyo in a note. Share prices of Hospital operators in the country declined 1%-6% since Sept. 25 on concerns that floods would affect operations, but the companies didn't face asset damage or internal flooding, he says, citing its own checks with the hospitals. The analyst expects a strong flu season to support the sector's core profit, which is estimated to rise 8% on year in 3Q. Maybank's top sector picks are Bumrungrad Hospital and Chularat Hospital, and it has buy ratings on both companies. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0201 GMT - Higher minimum wages in Malaysia could raise labor costs for plantation companies, with a 2,000 ringgit monthly rate estimated to add around 110 ringgit a ton to crude palm oil production costs, UOB Kay Hian analyst Amerul Iqmal and team say in a note. The minimum wage rate is due to be announced in the Budget 2027 on Oct. 9, with 2,000 ringgit-2,200 ringgit being discussed as possible new rates, up from the current 1,700 ringgit a month. Smaller estates and smallholders could remain exempt, limiting their cost impact, they say. Higher wages could also accelerate mechanization as planters seek to improve worker productivity and offset rising costs. UOB KH maintains an overweight stance on Malaysia's plantation sector.(yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0158 GMT - Sterlite Technologies could benefit from a persistent optical-fiber cable supply deficit, Nomura analysts Umesh Raut and Aritra Banerjee say in a note. Limited glass-preform capacity, raw-material bottlenecks and constrained ex-China capacity have created a supply deficit, pushing hyperscalers into multiyear agreements and opening opportunities for STL. Nomura estimates STL's revenue and Ebitda will grow at annualized rates of 50% and 89%, respectively, over FY26-29. The bank initiates coverage with a buy rating and a target price of 1,350 Indian rupees. Shares closed 4.8% higher at 999.60 rupees Monday. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)

0113 GMT - YTL Power International could see upside from its expanding data-center and AI infrastructure, as well as renewed power-generation opportunities, says Hong Leong IB analyst Daniel Wong in a note. Its Kulai and Sedenak West hubs offer 2.4GW of potential data-center capacity, while its AI-GPU capacity could scale to 100MW or more and support a new services business. The procurement of seven gas turbines totaling 5.25GW also positions YTL for power-generation growth and supports its expanding data-center pipeline, he reckons. Higher water tariffs and planned treatment plants at its unit Ranhill Utilities should support earnings as Johor's water demand rises, he adds. Hong Leong raises its target price to 8.08 ringgit from 7.58 ringgit and keeps a buy rating. Shares are 1.4% higher at 5.62 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0023 GMT - Japanese stocks are higher as concerns about higher energy costs ease following declines in crude oil prices overnight. Electronics and financial stocks are leading gains. Hitachi Ltd. is up 1.3% and Advantest is 2.0% higher while Tokio Marine Holdings is up 1.6% and Japan Post Bank is 1.2% higher. The dollar is at 157.86 yen, compared with Y157.79 as of Monday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching any developments in the Middle East conflict, crude oil prices and bond yields. The Nikkei Stock Average is up 0.4% at 70251.44. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)

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)

0011 GMT - Asia has been the weakest region for positioning globally as investors continue reducing risk exposure, says Citi analyst David T. Chew in a note. Hang Seng and China A50 positioning have deteriorated through a mix of long liquidation and new short selling, while Nikkei positioning remains moderately bearish. The Hang Seng short trade is increasingly established, supported by rising profitability. By contrast, a large proportion of Nikkei shorts are now offside and vulnerable to forced covering if policy expectations turn more accommodative. Investors remain bearish overall, but some could be forced to buy back their short positions if markets rise. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)

2348 GMT - Ingenia Communities has agreed to open its books to suitor Warburg Pincus, but management seems to continue to prefer a planned acquisition of Australia-listed Peet, says Citi. Warburg Pincus recently raised its offer for Ingenia to A$5.25/share. That brings it into line with Citi's assessment that Ingenia investors are looking for a bid in a A$5.25-A$5.50/share range. Announcing that it would let Warburg Pincus carry out due diligence, Ingenia said it hasn't determined whether the latest offer is superior to the deal whereby Ingenia acquires Peet. Ingenia also said it hasn't indicated that it intends to recommend the Warburg Pincus offer to its shareholders. Citi retains a buy call on Ingenia. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

2343 GMT - Japanese stocks may remain rangebound as concerns about higher borrowing costs offset enthusiasm over rising artificial intelligence-related demand. Nikkei futures are flat at 70175 on the SGX. The dollar is at 157.88 yen, compared with Y157.79 as of Monday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are focusing on any developments in the Middle East conflict, crude oil prices and bond yields. The Nikkei Stock Average rose 2.4% to 69946.86 on Monday. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com)

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)

2231 GMT [Dow Jones]--Morgans junks expectations of distribution growth by Transurban in the wake of its A$4.5 billion acquisition of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's stake in companies that own the Westlink M7, NorthConnex and WestConnex highways in Sydney. Analyst Nathan Lead's estimate of free cash in FY28-FY29 is some 8-10% below Transurban's guidance of a FY27 distribution of A$0.72/share. "We no longer assume growth in distribution per share but instead hold our distribution forecast flat at the FY27 guidance," Morgans says. "At current prices, this implies a cash yield of 5.5%." Morgans has a trim call on Transurban. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

The price fetched by Amplitude Energy for its natural gas in 1Q should improve on the prior three months, supporting growth in revenue. That's the view of Bell Potter analyst Stuart Howe, who points to higher gas volumes in the quarter. Also, spot natural gas prices recovered to a quarterly average of A$9.77 per gigajoule, from A$8.42 per gigajoule in 4Q of FY26. Amplitude is due to report its 1Q performance on Oct. 19. Bell Potter retains a buy call and A$2.45/share price target on Amplitude, which ended Monday at A$1.74.