FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

ASX Preview: Australian Shares Set to Rise; Big Miners Urge Government to Back Stronger Stance Against China's Iron Ore Buying Power

By

Australian shares are poised to rise on Friday as oil prices retreated sharply on easing Middle East supply fears after a reported Israel-Lebanon ceasefire raised hopes of wider diplomatic progress in the region despite ongoing uncertainty over flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4% and 1.7%, respectively, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1%.

In the macroeconomy, investors are awaiting a speech by Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser.

Australia's labor account report is due at 11:30 am Sydney time.

In corporate news, Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO), BHP Group (ASX:BHP), and Fortescue (ASX:FMG) are urging the Albanese government to consider policy responses to China's increasing consolidation of iron ore purchasing power, warning that the shift is reshaping pricing dynamics in Australia's most valuable export market, the Australian Financial Review reported on Friday.

Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX) continued to recommend that shareholders reject the off-market takeover bid by Diamond Infraco, an IFM Global Infrastructure Fund subsidiary, for 100% of the stapled securities that it does not already own in the company.

Australia's benchmark index fell 1.1% or 99.6 points to close at 8,686.10 on Thursday.

Related Articles

Asia

Yest Wins KRW22.8 Billion Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Order from Samsung Electronics; Shares Rise 6%

Yest (KOSDAQ:122640) secured an order for optical communication network equipment from Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 22.82 billion won, is valid till Dec. 30, 2027.Shares of Yest rose nearly 6% in recent trade.

KOSDAQ:122640KRX:005930
Asia

LiComm Wins Optical Communication Network Equipment Order from 1Finity; LiComm Shares Jump 30%

Electronics manufacturer LiComm (KOSDAQ:388790) secured an order for optical communication network equipment from Fujitsu (TYO:6702) subsidiary and telecommunications and network solutions firm 1Finity, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 3.87 billion won, is valid till Dec. 6, 2027.Shares of LiComm jumped nearly 30% in recent trade, while those of Fujitsu fell nearly 3%.

KOSDAQ:388790TYO:6702
Asia

Guoco Group to Develop Singapore Property via JV

Guoco Group (HKG:0053) agreed to set up a joint venture with real estate firms, Intrepid and TIDR, to develop a residential project in Singapore's Lentor Central, according to a Wednesday filing with the Hong Kong bourse.The project, which involves a property acquired for HK$4.03 billion via tender, spans 15,925.8 square meters and could potentially yield 562 residential units,Guoco will acquire a 50% interest in the joint venture, Intrepid will own 40%, while TIDR will take the remaining 10%.The partners will contribute HK$1.45 billion to the venture in proportion to their ownership of the JV. In Guoco's case, the capital contribution will amount to HK$724.4 million, comprising HK$165.4 million in share capital and HK$559 million in loans.A further HK$3.89 billion was arranged to finance part of the property's acquisition cost and the project's future construction costs and working capital.Guoco also agreed to provide project management and services to the project under a separate agreement that would expire on June 2, 2029.Intrepid and TIDR are associated with Guoco through its substantial shareholder Hong Leong Investment Holdings.

HKG:0053