Materials stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Friday.
BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained almost 2% in recent trade even after reports that the miner is facing another strike from members of three unions in Western Australia's Pilbara region who have decided to impose a 24-hour ship-loading ban on Aug. 8 and will also down tools on Aug. 9.
On the flip side, the healthcare sector struggled, shedding more than 2%.
CSL (ASX:CSL) shares fell past 4% in recent trade.
Tamron (TYO:7740) has received a nonbonding acquisition proposal from Sony Group (TYO:6758), according to a Thursday release.The proposal involves a series of transactions that will make the camera lens maker Sony's wholly owned subsidiary.Tamron has created a special committee to review options relating to the proposal.
ANA Holdings (TYO:9202) plans to order eight additional Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, expanding on its previous order of 20 aircraft announced in February 2025, according to a company release on Wednesday.The board approved the decision during a meeting on Wednesday.The 100-seat aircraft, featuring PW1900G engines and a range of 5,278 kilometers, aim to improve fuel efficiency, lower noise and operating costs, the release said.
United Microelectronics (TPE:2303) board approved an investment of up to NT$1.7 billion in private equity fund TGVest Asia Partners III (Taiwan), according to a Wednesday Taiwan Exchange filing.The investment will be made through capital contributions based on capital call notices under the fund's limited partnership agreement.The funds will be used as a long-term investment, it said.