Information technology stocks advanced nearly 5% at midday Friday.
Xero (ASX:XRO) shares gained 8% in recent trade even after shareholders voted against the adoption of the company's remuneration report at its 2026 annual meeting on Thursday, delivering a "second strike" against executive compensation.
Meanwhile, the consumer staples sector struggled, shedding more than 1%.
Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) shares fell past 1% in recent trade.
KakaoBank's (KRX:323410) labor group has asked management for a better salary bargain ahead of a five-day strike, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.The parties have been discussing a pay increase and other benefits, but a deal has not been reached yet, the report said.The union's strike will run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, although the group said it can be prevented with a better wage offer from the management, the report said.Parent company Kakao Corp. (KRX:035720) did not immediately respond to' request for comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
Qantas Airways (ASX:QAN) will start retiring its Airbus A380 airliner fleet in 2028, replacing it with aircraft that can fly further and operate on all of the airline's international network routes, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.The company is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to convert around 20 of its purchase right options to firm orders starting from 2030, per the filing."This fleet renewal is expected to significantly improve Qantas International's earnings performance and reduce operational complexity," with its operating margin forecast to increase to between 10% and 12% from fiscal 2032, the company said.Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the company took delivery of 17 new aircraft in fiscal 2026 with up to 31 more to arrive in the year ahead.The company's shares gained 4% in recent Thursday trade.
Gree Electric Appliances (SHE:000651) posted first-half attributable net profit of 13.3 billion yuan, down 7.9% from 14.4 billion yuan the previous year.Earnings per share declined to 2.38 yuan from 2.60 yuan, according to a Thursday filing with the Shenzhen bourse.Operating revenue fell 8.2% year over year to 89.4 billion yuan from 97.3 billion yuan.Shares of the appliance manufacturer declined 1% in recent trade.