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

0353 GMT - Hyundai Motor is facing margin pressure from the won's appreciation, as are other South Korean exporters, says Nomura's Angela Hong. For every 1% appreciation in the won against the dollar, the South Korean automaker's operating profit falls 1.5% to 2%, the analyst says. Hong notes that the local currency has appreciated about 13% against the greenback since July 2. She also reduces the fair value of the company's U.S.-based robotics affiliate, Boston Dynamics, to 55 billion won from 115 billion won previously, based on a newly estimated average selling price for Atlas humanoid robots. Nomura cuts its target price for the company's stock to 520,000 won from 600,000 won, while keeping a buy rating. Shares are 2.3% lower at 380,000 won. (kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)

0330 GMT - Buana Lintas Lautan may benefit from faster fleet growth and high freight rates, UOB Kay Hian analysts say in a research report. The oil and gas tanker operator's fleet expansion is running ahead of the brokerage's base case with 16 confirmed by 3Q. Also, a floating storage and offloading vessel and a floating production storage and offloading vessel are expected by end-3Q, with five more medium-range tankers in 4Q pipeline, the analysts note. Moreover, a reescalation of the Middle East conflict may keep freight rates elevated. The brokerage raises its target price on the stock to 770.00 rupiah from 750.00 rupiah with an unchanged buy rating. Shares are steady at 422.00 rupiah. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0321 GMT - Visional's near-term profit growth is likely to be softer, as management remains focused on accelerating investments in human resources software Hrmos and new businesses, Jefferies analysts say in a note. Its job site, BizReach, delivered solid sales growth in 4Q thanks to gains in the number of candidates and cumulative corporate accounts, the U.S. bank says. While BizReach remains a solid profit generator, management continues to prioritize growth investments in Hrmos and new businesses, the bank says. The bank sees the logic of the growth investment strategy, but the long-term earnings potential and monetization of these investments are crucial for the stock's future performance, the bank says. Jefferies maintains its buy rating and a target price of 11,800 yen. Shares are down 5.0% at Y8,354. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)

0255 GMT - Asia's Apple suppliers are likely to see support shift toward assemblers and component manufacturers from traditional camera lens makers as the iPhone 18 upgrade cycle unfolds, according to a Morgan Stanley report. Luxshare Precision Technology, Lingyi iTech and AAC Technologies are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries, it notes, as it maintains overweight ratings on the stocks. The brokerage downgrades Largan Precision to equal-weight and Genius Electronic Optical to underweight, citing their recent share-price surges being priced in, alongside much of the potential upside from new camera features and future co-packaged optics opportunities. While the iPhone 18 presents a "real upgrade cycle," Morgan Stanley says valuations, rather than technology, are now the key differentiator among suppliers. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0245 GMT - Pop Mart's product launch under its Twinkle Twinkle intellectual property isn't likely to offset a high base, says Deutsche Bank's Sammi Xu in a note. The Chinese doll maker's online August sales declined 40% from a year earlier, deepening from a 21% decline in July, the analyst says, citing Moojing e-commerce data. Pop Mart's key product launch in 3Q was from the Twinkle Twinkle IP, which was its fastest-growing in 1H. However, this IP is unlikely to fully offset the high base effect from the launches of Labubu 3.0 and Mini Labubu in the same period last year, Xu says. The persistent weakness in sales "suggests domestic demand remains under pressure, with no clear signs of stabilization and limited evidence that recent product launches are sufficient to reverse the trend," the analyst says. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0244 GMT - The Southeast Asian plantation sector's earnings could continue to grow thanks partly to higher crude palm oil prices, RHB analyst Hoe Lee Leng and her team say in a note. Malaysian palm oil stocks rose 7.5% on month to 2.82 million tons in August and are expected to remain above 2 million tons through 2026 as production peaks in 4Q, they say. With the probability of a very strong El Nino at 95% for the October-December period, its impact on production is expected to be seen mainly from 2027 onward, they add. RHB maintains an overweight rating on the Southeast Asia plantation sector. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0240 GMT - China's subdued consumer demand could affect market sentiment on Haidilao International, Daiwa analysts write in a note. The company's August table returns may improve sequentially but remain flat on-year, they reckon, noting that fourth-quarter demand remains uncertain. Haidilao is developing new brands under its "Pomegranate Plan," with food-stall hotpot and sushi formats set for wider replication, they note. Expectations for these businesses remain modest given their limited scale and Haidilao's unproven ability to replicate non-Haidilao brands. The brokerage maintains its outperform rating for the stock but cuts target price to 11.30 Hong Kong dollars, citing weaker demand among other factors. Shares last at HK$10.04. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

0240 GMT - MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand)'s 4Q earnings are likely to hit a record high, driven by tailwinds including new store openings, Maybank Securities (Thailand)'s Suttatip Peerasub says in a research report. The home-improvement and lifestyle retailer remains on track to meet its target of opening 210 new stores in 2026. A total of 125 new stores were opened in 1H, while the company has secured locations for the remaining 85 stores, the analyst notes. Earnings are also expected to be supported by stronger consumer spending during the year-end. Maybank maintains a buy rating on the stock and target price of 11.30 baht. Shares closed at 9.05 baht. (amanda.lee@wsj.com)

0239 GMT - Palm oil rises in early Asian trading, driven by overnight gains in soybean oil on the Chicago Board of Trade. Overall, the market remains constructive, although profit-taking could emerge ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, which could shift CPO futures expectations through changes in forecasts of global vegetable-oil supply and demand, AmInvestment Bank says. It expects palm-oil prices to face resistance at 4,930 ringgit a ton and support at 4,846 ringgit a ton. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for November delivery is up 18 ringgit at 4,903 ringgit a ton. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0236 GMT - Pop Mart's share price remains more resilient than expected despite weakening sales momentum and disappointing 1H results, says Deutsche Bank's Sammi Xu in a note. The analyst attributes this resilience to fund flows from factors such as the endorsement of prominent investor Duan Yong Ping, conviction from southbound investors and potential share buybacks. While committed shareholders could cushion near-term declines, Xu believes the Labubu maker's performance will ultimately depend on whether Pop Mart can deliver in terms of earnings. "We think a continued deterioration in operating performance would eventually outweigh the benefits of supportive shareholder sentiment," the analyst adds. DB maintains its sell rating and 115.00 Hong Kong dollar target price. Shares fall 0.85% to HK$151.40. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0226 GMT - Malaysian palm oil stocks may remain elevated over the next few months as production enters its peak season, while uneven exports could cap price gains, TA Securities analyst Angeline Chin says in a note. However, a sharp correction is unlikely, with crude palm oil prices expected to stay above 4,000 ringgit a ton, she says. Stronger energy prices could support biodiesel demand, while Indonesia's proposed B60 biodiesal mandate in 2027 may absorb more palm oil and tighten exports, she reckons. El Nino also poses an upside risk to prices, although any significant impact on production could emerge only from 2Q 2027, she adds. TA Securities maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian plantation sector, rates SD Guthrie, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, IOI Corp. and United Malacca at buy. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0223 GMT - Sun Hung Kai Properties' stronger balance sheet should allow it to pursue acquisitions, say DBS Group Research analysts in commentary. The Hong Kong-listed property company's net debt as of June stood at 67.6 billion Hong Kong dollars, down 19% from December, thanks to gains in property sales proceeds, they say. This lowered its gearing ratio to a nine-year low of 10.7% and leaves it well positioned to pursue acquisitions to support its long-term growth, DBS says. The bank retains its buy rating, citing SHK Properties' robust exposure to the Hong Kong residential market and strong execution capabilities. It also maintains a target price of HK$146.30. Shares drop 6.8% to HK$108.80.