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

0333 GMT - CXMT could pose a threat to global memory-chip leaders' legacy segments rather than cutting-edge high-bandwidth memory within the next three years, HSBC analysts say in a research note. While major DRAM suppliers concentrate on higher margin server memory, supply in consumer segments such as smartphones, PCs and automotives has loosened, they note. The Chinese memory-chip maker has been offering older-generation DDR4 chips at roughly half the prevailing market rate to capture market share, they note. However, CXMT still trails Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron by approximately three years in advanced DRAM node development, HSBC says, adding that yield rates on new production lines remain the key variable. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0318 GMT - Robotics has so far been less affected by geopolitical pressures, but that could change fast, Boston Dynamics' Brendan Schulman says at Humanoids Summit in Tokyo. Washington's policymakers are starting to look at robotics, the vice president of policy and government relations says. General government policies, such as tariffs imposed on metals, also affect robots because they influence the supply chain, he adds. (tracy.qu@wsj.com)

0317 GMT - Jardine Matheson's US$2.4 billion buy of I-MED Radiology Network is likely to boost the latter's growth potential, says S&P Global Ratings in a report. Jardine seems willing to spend on expansion and explore new markets, which should be beneficial for I-MED. S&P expects I-MED to realize 10%-15% annual Ebitda growth within the Hong Kong-based conglomerate's portfolio, which is in line with I-MED's 12% reported Ebitda growth for five years up to end-June last year. Growth drivers include organic growth in Australia and New Zealand's medical-imaging market and network expansion in these markets. Meanwhile, S&P expects Jardine to keep exploring potential deals, as it retains the ability to sell assets to fund acquisitions. Its Singapore-listed shares fall 4.0% to US$65.28. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0305 GMT - CXMT's DRAM market share has more-than doubled in 1Q from the same period last year, Counterpoint data shows. The Chinese memory-chip maker is the fastest-growing DRAM player globally, with revenue surging 700% as it captures growing domestic DRAM demand for products ranging from smartphones to servers amid the AI boom. However, the top three players, Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, still own around 90% of the market, the data shows. Companies such as Samsung and Micron are moving quickly to expand capacity and reinforce their lead in next-generation technology in response to the rise of CXMT, it notes. Meanwhile, memory prices for both high-bandwidth memory and commodity DRAM are expected to rise an additional 50% in 2Q from the previous quarter, it adds. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0243 GMT - Robotics safety standards will need updating as AI-powered robotics enter the scene, according to Brendan Schulman at Boston Dynamics. "Robotics has been around for decades and for the most part, concerns about them have been about the physical safety of workers," says the vice president of policy & government relations. The current structure is relatively "permissive" as it mostly relies on industry safety standards, he says. Companies that make robots for home may face more safety questions, as well as ethical questions, he says. (tracy.qu@wsj.com)

0232 GMT - A likely sharp on-quarter recovery in Petronas Chemicals' 2Q earnings could be a key potential rerating catalyst for the stock, CGS International analyst Raymond Yap says in a note. Petronas Chemicals' share price has come under pressure in recent weeks amid expectations that a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to lower petrochemical selling prices and feedstock costs, including crude oil, naphtha and natural gas, he notes. Additional downside risks include larger-than-expected losses at its Kertih operations due to ongoing 2Q plant turnarounds, he says. A potential disposal of Petronas Chemicals' 50% stake in Pengerang Petrochemical Co. to Petronas could further support a rerating of the stock, he adds. CGS maintains an add rating on Petronas Chemicals and keeps its target price at 6.58 ringgit. Shares are 1.6% lower at 5.39 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0224 GMT - Elite UK REIT's stable yield offers value amid economic uncertainty, says RHB Research's Vijay Natarajan in a note. While the U.K.-focused real-estate investment trust isn't entirely immune to macroeconomic headwinds, its cash flow profile appears to hold steady thanks to government tenants at its assets, the analyst says. He says some of the U.K. government social infrastructure portfolio could be consolidated in the future, but he expects that Elite UK REIT's residential assets could be boosted by any U.K. housing supply shortage. RHB Research retains its buy rating and a target price of 0.41 pound sterling. Units are flat at 0.34 pound sterling. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0212 GMT - SATS's revenue growth could be offset by cost pressures amid the Middle East conflict, OCBC Group Research's Ada Lim says in a note. Demand for the Singapore-based company's ground-handling services and aviation meals should be supported by continued healthy global travel demand. "However, if the conflict persists and oil prices remain elevated, this may eventually weigh on consumer sentiment," Lim writes. OCBC now expects a slight margin compression in FY 2027, citing higher input costs and energy prices. It lowers its fair-value estimate on the stock to 4.20 Singapore dollars from S$4.32 while maintaining a buy rating. Shares are 6.7% higher at S$3.80. (amanda.lee@wsj.com)

0204 GMT - Early signs suggest operating income momentum at Hong Leong Bank could improve in fiscal 4Q, supported by stronger wealth-management activity and further net interest margin expansion from deposit repricing efforts, RHB IB analyst David Chong says in a note. While the bank has started to see signs of stress among some small-and-medium enterprise customers since mid-May, management expects to maintain its asset quality guidance for the rest of 2026, he notes. Hong Leong's 175 million ringgit pre-emptive provisions remain unutilized and could help cushion any emerging credit risks, he adds. RHB cuts Hong Leong Bank's target price to 24.70 ringgit from 25.70 ringgit, while maintaining a buy rating on the stock. Shares are 1.0% lower at 21.68 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0159 GMT - UI Boustead REIT's new development project is likely to boost its distributions from FY 2029, says UOB Kay Hian's Jonathan Koh in a note. The real-estate investment trust is taking a 51% stake in the development of a build-to-suit integrated aerospace facility in Singapore, which should improve its exposure to the aerospace and automotive sectors, the analyst says. The project is likely to start contributing from 1Q FY 2029, the analyst adds. Another asset in development in Japan could also help boost results from 1Q FY 2028. UOB KH therefore raises its FY 2029 distribution per unit projection by 3.0% to 7.3 Singapore cents. The brokerage lifts its target price to S$1.17 from S$1.13 and retains a buy rating. Units rise 2.55% to S$0.805. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0141 GMT - Recent profit-taking in CIMB Group's shares is likely an opportunity for investors to capitalize on increasingly attractive valuations, Hong Leong IB analyst Raymond Ng says in a note. The lender is trading at 1.07X expected 2027 price-to-book, offering a dividend yield above 6% and remains Hong Leong's top sector pick for 1H, he says. Looking ahead to 2027, Ng says clear structural catalysts underpin CIMB's 12%-13% return-on-equity target, supported by the completion of its Thailand unit restructuring in early 4Q 2026 and the remaining 1.3 billion ringgit capital return program, which could further boost shareholder returns. Hong Leong maintains a buy rating on CIMB and keeps target price at 9.80 ringgit. Shares are unchanged at 7.68 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0128 GMT - Thai Beverage stands to benefit from some tailwinds, says OCBC Group Research's Chu Peng in a note. The beer maker is likely to continue seeing a recovery in its sales volume for spirits and beers, partly due to easing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Lower raw material costs of molasses and malt in FY 2026 should also help offset softer demand. OCBC maintains a buy rating on the stock and its fair value estimate of 55 Singapore cents. Shares are up 2.2% at S$0.46.(amanda.lee@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 27, 2026 23:33 ET (03:33 GMT)

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