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

0323 GMT - Malaysia's palm oil inventories are expected to ease in October, supported by an anticipated recovery in exports and stronger domestic consumption ahead of Diwali, Public Investment Bank analyst Chong Hoe Leong says in a note. September stocks rose as production hit a record 2.1 million tons while exports fell to a seven-month low of 1.1 million tons amid stiff competition from Indonesia. However, severe forest fires and haze in Indonesia could disrupt harvesting and reduce output in coming months, he adds. Public IB maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian plantations, pegging Sarawak Plantation and TA Ann as top picks. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0315 GMT - DFI Retail Group's earnings outlook and the potential for margin expansion of its Starbucks operations in certain Asian markets seem promising to DBS Group Research's Zheng Feng Chee. DFI's management signaled that the Starbucks operations currently have limited integration with its existing other businesses, which leave meaningful scope for future cost synergies, the analyst says in a note. "The confident tone of management and re-emphasis on underpromising and overdelivering gave us greater conviction that management's short- and medium-term targets are achievable," he adds. These support DBS's projections and imply an attractive valuation of 13 times its 2028 forward price/earnings ratio and 6% 2028 dividend yield. DBS maintains its buy rating and US$4.50 target price. Shares rise 0.3% to US$3.25. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0212 GMT - Iron ore prices are lower amid ample supply. Iron ore shipments and arrivals at Chinese ports remain at high levels, with significant volume increases from non-mainstream mines, Tongguan Jinyuan Futures says in a research note. With mining capacity continuing to ramp up, expectations for inventory accumulation are strong, it adds. The iron ore market will likely continue to see strong supply and weak demand in the next month, it adds. The most actively traded January iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange drops 1.2% to 676.0 yuan a ton. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0207 GMT - Genting's proposed rights issue is expected to comfortably secure shareholder approval, as it requires only a simple majority of votes cast and the founding Lim family has committed to subscribe for its entire 45.1% stake, CreditSights' Jonathan Tan Jun Jie and Lakshmanan R say in a note. The planned 1.25 billion ringgit fundraising will largely be used to repay debt and is expected to modestly reduce net leverage by 0.2X-0.3X to 4.3X. The move looks positive for Genting's credit quality, although refinancing and credit-rating downgrade risks remain amid heavy capital spending and a weak outlook, they add. CreditSights maintains an outperform rating on Genting's subordinated perpetual bonds. Shares are 2.1% higher at 1.48 ringgit. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0100 GMT - Malaysia's palm oil inventories are expected to decline after October as seasonal production eases and the lagged effects of El Nino weigh on output, says Hong Leong IB analyst Chye Wen Fei in a note. However, CPO prices in the near term are expected to be weighed down by the current seasonal production peak. Hong Leong maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia's plantation sector, as it expects elevated CPO prices to be sustained into 2027, driven by tightening supply and resilient demand. It pegs Hap Seng Plantations and IOI Corp. as its top picks. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

0018 GMT - The Nikkei Stock Average falls 2.0% to 67644.31 amid geopolitical tensions that typically undermine appetite for risk assets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian strikes hit energy infrastructure across his country hours after President Trump declared an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The main theme has been energy-driven risk and technology-led weakness, Commerzbank Research analysts say in a research report. Among worst performers on Japan's benchmark index, Kioxia Holdings slides 8.8%, Advantest drops 7.0%, and SoftBank Group loses 6.1%. The dollar is at 158.50 yen, compared with Y158.63 late Monday in New York. Japan's financial markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

0010 GMT - LGI's solar acquisition is seen by its bull at Bell Potter as progressing its strategic objective of developing and operating a diverse renewable-energy platform. Analyst Ritesh Varma tells clients in a note that the Australian company now has a medium-term operating pipeline of 125 megawatts, made up of 26MW of biogas generation, 42MW of solar generation and 57MW of battery storage. Varma says the next major catalyst is the commissioning of a 12MW battery, most likely in the current quarter. He concedes that the operating environment is difficult, but sees upside risk. Bell Potter keeps a buy rating on the stock and lifts its target price 6.3% to 3.40 Australian dollars. Shares are flat at A$2.35. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2358 GMT - Bank of Queensland's annual result announcement will be scrutinized for commentary on its revenue outlook, Morgan Stanley analysts say. They expect the regional lender to report a modest earnings improvement over the second half of its last fiscal year, but say focus is shifting to the current reporting period, which began Sept. 1. The analysts expect management to reaffirm FY 2027 growth ambitions, but want details on the timing and magnitude of any recovery. With interest rates rising, they also think commentary on competition is important. MS has an equal-weight rating on the stock and a target price of 6.20 Australian dollars. Shares are up 2.3% at A$6.65. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2342 GMT - Japanese stocks may fall amid geopolitical tensions that typically undermine appetite for risk assets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian strikes hit energy infrastructure across his country hours after President Trump declared an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Investors are closely monitoring developments between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East for their implications on crude oil prices. Nikkei futures are down 885 points at 68270 on the SGX. The dollar is at 158.52 yen, compared with Y158.63 late Monday in New York. The Nikkei Stock Average closed little changed at 69030.92 last Friday. Japan's financial markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

GenusPlus's acquisition of Universal Communications Group will fast-track the Australian company's overall growth strategy, according to its bull at Bell Potter. Analyst Joseph House explains in a note that the infrastructure construction and maintenance provider's acquisition of UCG, which has a long relationship with New Zealand's largest telco infrastructure owner, adds scale and capability. He writes that the move accelerates GenusPlus's multi-market growth strategy across communications, transmission, wind, rail and gas. It also opens the door to other critical infrastructure markets in New Zealand, he adds. Bell Potter keeps a buy rating on the stock with a target price of 12.80 Australian dollars. Shares are up 0.1% at A$9.30. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)

2259 GMT - Whitehaven Coal's bull at Morgan Stanley raises its price target by 6%, to A$8.95/share, highlighting several tailwinds for the miner. "Higher gas prices, constrained Indonesian supply and Indian restocking should support thermal coal," MS says. It estimates thermal coal prices at the Australian port of Newcastle averaged US$155/ton between July and September. MS adds that Chinese mine restrictions are helping to support metallurgical coal, which is used in steelmaking. Specific to Whitehaven Coal, MS is upbeat about its improving operating performance in Australia's New South Wales state. Strong coal prices are supporting Whitehaven's cash generation and free cash flow yields, MS says. Whitehaven ended Monday at A$7.78. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)

2210 GMT - Metals X likely needs to raise its offer for U.K.-listed First Tin to get a deal done, suggests Shaw and Partners. Metals X's proposal is worth GBP0.15/share. The Australian miner already owns nearly 30% of First Tin. Analyst Peter Kormendy says the offer price looks light against the 2024 definitive feasibility study for First Tin's Taronga project, which is being updated. "The strategic logic fits our consolidator thesis and the cost is modest relative to current Metals X cash," Shaw says. "Key questions from here are the increase likely needed for a successful outcome, and how Taronga capex sits alongside Rentails FID." Rentails is Metals X's tin project in Tasmania. Shaw has a hold call and A$1.90/share price target on Metals X, which ended Monday at A$2.03.