Consumer discretionary stocks advanced nearly 3% at midday Wednesday.
Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) gained almost 3% in recent trade after announcing that it is partnering with artificial intelligence organizations to drive long-term sales and earnings growth.
On the flip side, the information technology sector struggled, shedding nearly 2%.
Xero (ASX:XRO) shares were down past 1% in recent trade.
Cosmo Chemical (KRX:005420) secured a supply contract for cobalt sulfate, a secondary battery cathode material, from EcoPro (KOSDAQ:086520) subsidiary EcoPro EM, according to a Tuesday Korea Exchange filing.The contract, worth 15.47 billion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2031.Shares of Cosmo Chemical rose nearly 6% in recent trade.
Grasim Industries (NSE:GRASIM, BOM:500300) has received board approval for Phase II expansion of its Lyocell capacity in Harihar, Karnataka, involving capital expenditure of 30.9 billion Indian rupees, according to a Monday filing with the Indian bourses.The expansion will be executed in two phases, adding a total capacity of 110,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) through two 55,000 TPA lines. The first phase is expected to be completed by mid-2028, followed by the second phase by mid-2030.The Phase II expansion will complement Phase I of its Lyocell plant in Harihar, which is already under construction and is expected to be commissioned by mid-2027, the filing stated.
South Korean tech and inspection company SEC (KOSDAQ:081180) won an order from Hanwha Aerospace (KRX:012450) to supply the latter with non-destructive testing equipment, according to a Tuesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, worth 4.2 billion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2027.Shares of Hanwha Aerospace rose nearly 1% in recent trade.