Materials stocks advanced 2% at midday Thursday.
BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained nearly 3% in recent trade.
On the flip side, the financial sector struggled, shedding almost 2%.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA) shares fell past 2% in recent trade.
Mitsubishi Logistics (TYO:9301) plans to build two new distribution centers in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas, in the U.S. with an investment worth $40 million and later sell the assets, boosting returns on equity, Nikkei Asia reported Wednesday.The investments are part of a plan to expand the overseas real estate business of the company, with the completion of the centers scheduled for 2027, the report said.The new centers, located in the Sun Belt, will span 230,000 square feet in Charlotte and 710,000 square feet in Houston. The proceeds from selling the assets will be used to fund other growth investments, according to the report.(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.)
Viva Leisure's (ASX:VVA) board declared a maiden dividend of AU$0.03 per share payable Oct. 20 to shareholders on record as of Sept. 29, according to a Wednesday Australian bourse filing.Its shares rose 9% in recent trading on Wednesday.
ITMAX System (KLSE:ITMAX) has secured an order worth 186.8 million ringgit from the Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (Perkeso), according to a Tuesday filing to the Malaysian stock exchange.The company's shares were down over 1% in Wednesday's trade.Under the contract, the company will develop, integrate, deploy, operate and maintain Perkeso's artificial intelligence (AI)-powered employment portal.The contract will be valid for five years starting Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, 2031.