West African Resources (ASX:WAF) received notice that JPMorgan Chase and its affiliates became a substantial holder of the company on May 8, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.
JPMorgan Chase now owns 58.4 million shares in the company, representing 5.11% of the issued shares, the filing said.
Shiseido (TYO:4911) is considering replacing oil-derived materials with plant-based alternatives as disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict strain global supply chains for skincare and beauty products, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.The company said shortages of petroleum-based naphtha could affect key ingredients used in moisturizers, makeup and other cosmetics. It is reviewing its supplier network and exploring alternative raw materials to reduce dependence on petrochemical inputs, according to the report.CEO Kentaro Fujiwara said the company is preparing for adverse scenarios while adjusting operations, estimating a 5 billion yen impact on core operating profit this fiscal year due to higher input and logistics costs and weaker regional sales, the report said.Despite these pressures, Shiseido reported first-quarter core operating profit of 13 billion yen, above analyst expectations, supported by cost controls and internal restructuring, according to the report.The company also plans to shut its Hsinchu plant in Taiwan in the second half of 2027, a move expected to reduce fixed costs by about 1 billion yen annually.(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.)
Zip (ASX:ZIP) said the High Court of Australia has delivered judgment in trade mark infringement proceedings brought by Firstmac, requiring Zip and its units to cease using the Zip trademark in Australia in relation to its products and services within 28 days, according to a Wednesday Australian bourse filing.The company said the decision does not impact its US business, which represents about 80% of divisional cash earnings, or its New Zealand business, with no change in the use of the Zip brand by either business, the filing added.Firstmac is a private non-bank Australian lender that offers a product named ZIP Home Loan, the loan provider's website showed.The company's shares fell 7% in recent Wednesday trade.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (TYO:9101) (NYK Line) is weighing an expansion of its tanker fleet as energy flows gradually shift away from the Middle East toward longer-haul routes, Nikkei reported Wednesday.CEO Takaya Soga said oil import patterns are being reassessed across the industry as geopolitical tensions expose risks tied to heavy reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. He said the shift in sourcing is likely to persist even if shipping routes through the region stabilize, according to the report.A move toward crude supplies from regions such as the United States and Africa would lengthen transport distances, increasing demand for very large crude carriers. NYK Line is considering adding such vessels to its fleet to capture the expected rise in shipping volumes, the report said.The company said earlier this week it expects a decline in annual profit, assuming disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue into mid-year. Soga said prolonged blockage of the key shipping route would have wider global consequences, warning that an extended disruption could strain the world economy, according to the report.Beyond crude oil logistics, NYK Line expects companies across manufacturing and trade to increase inventories and diversify supply chains, reducing dependence on single transit routes, the report said.(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.)