Utilities stocks advanced nearly 3% at midday Thursday.
Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) gained almost 5% in recent trade after reporting AU$0.672 in underlying earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal 2026, compared with AU$0.864 a year ago.
On the flip side, the communication services sector struggled, shedding more than 3%.
Telstra Group (ASX:TLS) shares were down nearly 5% after posting AU$0.204 in underlying EPS for fiscal 2026, compared with AU$0.191 a year ago.
Xingyun Technology (SHE:300209) denied media reports that Customs detained its computing power cards, according to a Wednesday filing with the Shenzhen bourse.The cross-border e-commerce and software development company said its imports are compliant with Chinese customs law and its business processes are complete.Customs did not delay any of the company's imports, adding that they are being delivered normally according to plan, the company said in the filing.Shares rose 2% during the midday break on Wednesday.
AGL Energy's (ASX:AGL) fiscal 2027 guidance is below market expectations, and its net profit after tax (NPAT) drives dividends, which will be higher in fiscal 2027 relative to expectations, Jefferies said in a note on Wednesday.Its fiscal 2027 guidance range for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) is between AU$1.9 billion and AU$2.2 billion, and its NPAT guidance is between AU$470 million and AU$670 million.The guidance assumes stable consumer margins, a full-year Liddell Battery contribution and the remaining cost-out benefits, which will be offset by lower wholesale electricity prices rolling through contracted positions and higher gas costs as legacy contracts expire.Expectations for AGL's fiscal 2027 guidance had been reduced since the result for the first half of fiscal 2026, with consensus EBITDA down 4.7% and consensus NPAT down 9.5%.The investment firm maintained its buy rating on AGL Energy with a price target of AU$11.21 per share.
CSBC Corporation (TPE:2208) has received a work stoppage notice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Ministry of Labor, Taiwan, following an incident at Keelung shipyard that caused the death of a worker, according to a Tuesday filing to the Taiwan stock exchange.In compliance with the order, work has been suspended for improvement purposes starting on Aug. 3 at the company's Keelung plant, where aerial work platforms are used for ship repair and painting operations, and related areas.According to a preliminary assessment, there's no significant impact on the company's finances and operations, the company said.