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

0616 GMT - Kuaishou's 1Q earnings were likely supported by its livestreaming e-commerce business, Citi analysts say in a research note. With continued traffic support for its livestreaming e-commerce business, the Chinese short-video operator's 1Q gross merchandise value could rise 15% on year, the analysts say. Ad revenue growth was likely muted in 1Q due to heavy spending on party games in 1Q 2024 and a scale-back of splash ads, they say. The analysts reckon that investors are concerned about Kuaishou's growth outlook given the high base last year after the ramp-up of short play ads through 2024. The analysts expect increased monetization of shelf-based e-commerce could accelerate its revenue growth. Citi maintains a buy call on Kuaishou with a target price of HK$66.00. Share are last flat at HK$50.75.(sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0556 GMT - Hindustan Unilever's cut in near-term operating profit margin guidance to 22%-23% from 23%-24% is likely aimed at investment and growth revival, based on management commentary, Nomura's Mihir P. Shah says in a research report. Management has highlighted the guidance reduction is to invest in areas including brand development and innovation in the near term, the analyst notes. Although this guidance adjustment prompts Nomura to lower its FY 2026-2027 EPS forecasts for Hindustan Unilever by 5.5% each year, this step seems to be in the right direction and can revive the fast-moving consumer company's weak sales volume growth and enhance its competitiveness. The brokerage maintains the stock's buy rating, but lowers its target price to INR2,600.00 from INR2,950.00. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0553 GMT - Hongkong Land stands to benefit from selling part of One Exchange Square in Hong Kong, CGS International analysts say in a research report. Based on gross proceeds of HK$6.3 billion for the sale of nine floors of office space and two floors of retail space, the analysts estimate an average selling price of HK$42,800 a square foot. That translates to a 3.1% rental yield for the company, according to their calculations. About one-fifth of the sales proceeds will be used for share buyback, which is expected to be net asset value-accretive. The brokerage raises the stock's target price to US$4.91 from US$4.82, with an unchanged hold rating. Shares are last at US$4.68. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0521 GMT - China's property market is quietly staging a recovery that has yet to be fully appreciated by the stock market, HSBC Global Research analysts write in a note. While the aftermath of the confidence crisis caused by property developer defaults since 2021 and the trade tensions between U.S. and China remain a distraction, China's property sector's fundamental dynamics are shifting in ways that remain overlooked, they say. Demand for high-quality homes is recovering thanks to the country's huge middle-class population. Housing demand may remain solid, supported by demand from people looking to upgrade their homes and by sustained urbanization, they add. China's property sector remains the bedrock of household wealth, representing 65.9% of urban household wealth, they say. HSBC's top picks are CRL, C&D, China Jinmao and Beike. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 28, 2025 02:16 ET (06:16 GMT)

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