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

0848 GMT - MJ Gleeson remains one of the best-placed home builders to benefit from the U.K.'s new "Your First Home" program, Peel Hunt analysts Sam Cullen and Clyde Lewis say. The program promises medium-term gains, but uncertainty over its mechanics is prompting first-time buyers to defer purchases, disrupting the Autumn sales season for home builders, the analysts add. With the finer details on regional caps still pending, Gleeson stands to gain the most due to its strong alignment with the scheme's home-price and buyer criteria, Peel Hunt says. "Once the scheme is up and running, we expect better margins across the sector, as housebuilders see a favorable mix shift, with fewer bulk deals and reduced incentive," Peel Hunt says. Shares are down 1% at 285 pence. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)

0848 GMT - The pace of Singapore's retail sales activity could be affected by elevated inflation, DBS senior economist Chua Han Teng says in a note. Retail sales grew at a slower pace of 0.7% on year in August, compared to July's 1.3% rise. Prices in Singapore have picked up slowly in recent months. With inflation gradually rising, consumers' purchasing power is likely to be somewhat eroding, prompting households to be more prudent in their spending, he says. Still, Chua expects retail sales in the coming months to be supported by large-scale events and government support measures. (amanda.lee@wsj.com)

0849 GMT - Ithaca Energy's deal to buy Suncor's offshore Canada assets lifts its medium-term outlook to 140,000 to 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day from 120,000 barrels a day, Barclays analyst Naisheng Cui writes. The London-listed energy company expects to become the fifth​-​largest operator offshore Canada by production, which gives it a platform for future consolidation and growth opportunities across North America, he adds. Shares rise 3.1% to 284 pence.(adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0823 GMT - Malaysia's palm oil sector's outlook could improve as Malaysian palm oil inventories approach a cyclical peak and the lagged impact of El Nino begins to weigh on production, Public Investment Bank analyst Chong Hoe Leong says in a note. Inventories will likely peak around October before declining from November, providing a stronger basis for CPO prices to recover, he says. A stronger-than-expected El Nino could further tighten global palm oil supply, with production in Malaysia and Indonesia potentially falling 3%-8% under moderate to prolonged dry conditions, he reckons. Higher crude oil prices could also boost palm oil demand for biodiesel, while Indonesia's B50 biodiesel mandate is expected to provide additional structural support, he adds. Public IB maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia's plantation sector, pegging Sarawak Plantation and TA Ann as preferred picks. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0818 GMT - ByteDance dominates China's AI short-drama value chain, from video generation tools to distribution platforms, Nomura analysts say in a research note, citing industry experts. AI short dramas cost roughly 50%-90% less to produce than live-action versions, the industry experts estimate. ByteDance's Seedance is the most widely used AI video-generation tool for short dramas in China, they say. However, it costs more than rivals such as Kuaishou's Kling and Alibaba's Wan, one expert says. Studios increasingly turn to cheaper alternatives for less demanding shots to keep costs down, the experts say. ByteDance also leads in distribution with its Hongguo platform ranking as China's largest for short dramas, the analysts note. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0817 GMT - A preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran is unlikely to materialize before the first quarter of next year, according to BMI analysts. "Extended disruptions to regional oil flows will see price pressures extend and build across the coming three to six months, compounded by ongoing supply-side constraints stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war," they say. "Prices will zigzag higher, as repeated cycles of escalation and deescalation between Washington and Tehran meet with progressively lower inventory levels and fewer fundamental brakes on future rallies." BMI raised its oil price forecast, saying it now sees Brent crude at an average of $93 a barrel this year, from $83 a barrel previously. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0812 GMT - Bitcoin could be on for another strong week after October rate hike bets collapsed, Coin Bureau's Nic Puckrin writes. Bitcoin is testing $87,000 despite elevated bond yields as the probability of an October Fed hike fell to below 20%. "The next target is the psychologically significant $90,000, and $92,000 is the next resistance level to watch if it manages to break out of its current holding pattern," he says. Bitcoin is 0.6% higher at $86,356. (joseph.wilkins@wsj.com)

0802 GMT - Novo Nordisk will likely report a strong set of third-quarter results and raise full-year guidance, J. P. Morgan analysts write. The bank forecasts adjusted sales of 76 billion Danish kroner, 4% ahead of Bloomberg consensus. It expects injectable Wegovy sales of 21.5 billion kroner, 9% ahead of consensus, reflecting continued growth in sales outside the U.S. Oral Wegovy sales are seen at 5.3 billion kroner, 19% ahead of views, as it says consensus seems to be underestimating sales outside the U.S. Ozempic sales are seen at 26.6 billion kroner, 7% ahead of consensus. Adjusted operating profit is seen at 30 billion kroner. The bank also expects Novo to raise its constant exchange rate guidance for adjusted sales and adjusted operating profit to minus 3% to plus 1%, from 0% to minus 6%. Shares fall 1.5%. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)

0750 GMT - Hindustan Aeronautics' 2Q earnings are expected to be robust, driven by an increase in deliveries, Citi Research analysts say in a note. Sales backlog along with steady stream of repair and overhaul revenue provide solid earnings visibility for the Indian aerospace and defense company, Citi says. Its 2Q deliveries have been boosted by Hindustan Turbo trainers, Dhruv new-generation helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft trainers, the bank says. Citi has a buy rating and a target price of 6,175 rupees on the stock. Shares are 0.5% higher at 4,638.80 rupees. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)

0741 GMT - Glencore is ramping up capital allocation to its marketing division in the wake of the Middle East conflict, Citi's Ephrem Ravi writes. The miner and trader has a 2026 earnings tailwind due to elevated and volatile commodity markets, he says. The company has upgraded its long-term EBIT guidance for the marketing division, which will likely push consensus expectations higher, he adds. The company had $32.2 billion of readily marketable inventories in the unit as of the first half of the year versus $25.4 billion last year, he says. The company could further ramp up capital allocation to the marketing business over the remainder of the year, he says. Shares rise 0.46% to 653.90 pence. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0735 GMT - National Grid's asset and earnings growth targets are well underpinned, if not leaning toward the conservative side, J.P. Morgan analysts write. The energy company said its regulated business was trading in line with expectations and forecast group EPS growth of 13%-15% for fiscal 2027. "Over 90% of the company's investments in the coming years will be in regulated businesses, underpinned by robust frameworks that offer a high degree of earnings and cash-flow visibility," the analysts say. JPM has an overweight rating on the stock and 14.40 pound target price. Shares are up 0.8% at 11.55 pounds. (ian.walker@wsj.com)

0732 GMT - European stock indexes largely edge lower in early trade as political pressures add to losses on French and Spanish indexes. Banks and industrial stocks fall as the continentwide Stoxx 600 trades flat. London's FTSE 100 edges 0.1% lower as financials fall, though BT Group adds 1.9% after acquiring TalkTalk. Germany's DAX slips 0.1%. Software giant SAP adds 0.9%, though real-estate companies fall. France's CAC 40 falls 0.95%. Schneider Electric drops 7.5% after the group agreed to buy U.S. industrial-software maker PTC. Hermes falls 2.1%, while BNP Paribas loses 2%. Italy's FTSE MIB falls 0.2%, while Spain's IBEX 35 pares earlier gains to fall 0.2% after Spanish leader Pedro Sanchez called a snap election. The Dutch AEX rises 0.3%.