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NZX Midday Sector Update: Electronic Technology Advances, Technology Services Decline

Electronic technology shares gained the most on New Zealand's Exchange, rising nearly 2% by midday Thursday.Shares of ikeGPS Group (NZE:IKE, ASX:IKE) rose almost 5% in recent trade.The company on Thursday reported total revenue of around NZ$26.6 million for fiscal 2026, up 6% compared with the previous year.On the other hand, shares of technology services fell 2%.EROAD's (NZE:ERD, ASX:ERD) shares slid 4% in recent trade

^NZ50ASX:ERDASX:IKENZE:ERDNZE:IKE

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Alibaba, Tencent Explore Investment in DeepSeek

Alibaba (HKG:9988) and Tencent (HKG:0700) are in early-stage talks to back artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing The Information.The startup, supported by High-Flyer Capital Management, is looking to raise fresh capital at a valuation above $20 billion, 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.)

HKG:0700HKG:9988

Asia67d ago

Elevra Lithium Posts Higher Spodumene Concentrate Production in March Quarter; Shares Reach Over Two-Year High

Elevra Lithium's (ASX:ELV) spodumene concentrate production from its North American Lithium operation in Canada rose to 47,332 dry metric tonnes (dmt) in the March quarter from 43,261 dmt during the same period last year, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.Spodumene concentrate sales were 55,526 dmt at an average realized selling price of $1,453 per dmt, up from 27,030 dmt at an average realized selling price of $710 per dmt in March 2025, the filing said.The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 production guidance of 180,000 dmt to 190,000 dmt and sales guidance of 170,000 to 190,000 dmt, subject to the fulfillment of the shipping schedule, per the filing.Shares rose about 2% in recent Thursday trade and earlier reached their highest since November 2023.

ASX:ELV

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Japan Retailers Step Up Cost Cuts as Energy Prices Rise

Japanese retailers are tightening operations to manage rising fuel and electricity costs, even as the government works to secure energy supplies, Nikkei reported Thursday.Itochu (TYO:8001) unit FamilyMart is weighing a reduction in store deliveries to cut transport expenses, while Lawson plans a gradual shift to hybrid and electric vehicles. Both chains are also investing in energy-efficient equipment to limit cost pressures, according to the report.Aeon (TYO:8267) is bringing forward investments in solar panels and efficient air-conditioning, and accelerating a transition to lower-power refrigeration systems across stores, the report said.The moves come as utilities prepare to pass on higher fuel costs to electricity bills from June, alongside seasonal demand for cooling. Government fuel subsidies have offered some relief, but their duration remains uncertain, 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.)

Nikkei 225TYO:8001TYO:8267

Asia67d ago

XRF Scientific To Acquire Bruker's Combustion Gas Analysis For $4 Million, Shares Up 4%

XRF Scientific (ASX:XRF), via its wholly-owned unit XRF Technology (WA), entered into a binding asset purchase agreement with Bruker AXS to acquire its combustion gas analysis business for a total upfront cash consideration of $4 million, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.An earnout of up to $1 million will be payable, based on a rate of 7% of net combustion gas analysis business revenue for three years after completion.Under the deal, certain product names such as "G4 Icarus" will be transferred to the firm and branded as XRF Scientific. The combustion gas analysis products are currently manufactured in Germany, and production will be transferred to XRF's factory in Perth, Australia.The completion of the deal is expected to occur imminently within the week.Its shares rose 4% in recent trading on Thursday.

ASX:XRF

Asia67d ago

Note Founder Trims Stake Ahead of Prime Market Push

Note (TYO:5243) said founder and CEO Sadaaki Kato sold 550,000 shares, or 2.8% of outstanding stock, on April 15, reducing his stake to 26.3% from 29.2%, according to a Thursday filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.The sale was carried out through on-market transactions via a securities firm, which had full discretion over pricing and execution.The company said the move was intended to improve trading liquidity and increase the proportion of shares available in the market, following capital and business tie-ups that had concentrated ownership.Kato has agreed not to sell additional shares for two years and will remain a major shareholder while continuing to lead the company.

TYO:5243

Asia67d ago

Sands China's Q1 2026 Net Income Jumps 46%

Sands China (HKG:1928) booked $294 million in net income for the first quarter of 2026, up 46% from $202 million in the year-ago quarter, according to a Hong Kong bourse filing Thursday.Total net revenue rose 24% year over year to $2.10 billion.Meanwhile, adjusted property EBITDA increased to $633 million from $535 million in the prior-year period.

HKG:1928

Asia67d ago

PLS Group Completes $600 Million Offering of Senior Notes Due 2031

PLS Group (ASX:PLS) completed a $600 million offering of 6.875% senior notes due 2031, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.The company has used part of the net proceeds to refinance the AU$375 million drawn balance of its revolving credit facility, and plans to use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes.PLS Group's shares shed about 1% in recent Thursday trade.

ASX:PLS

Asia67d ago

Ardiden Engages Second Diamond Drill Rig For Canada Gold Project

Ardiden (ASX:ADV) engaged contractor Forage MDion to provide a second diamond drill rig at the Rouyn gold project in Quebec, Canada, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.The second drill rig will help accelerate step-out drilling targeting down-plunge extensions of high-grade mineralization and enable systematic testing of multiple targets.

ASX:ADV

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Cathay Pacific Raises HK$2.1 Billion in Three-Year Bonds

Cathay Pacific Airways (HKG:0293) raised HK$2.08 billion through a three-year bond sale, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a term sheet seen by the news agency.The notes carry a yield of 3.78%, 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.)

HKG:0293

Asia67d ago

Metro Mining Secures Shareholder Approval for 20-for-1 Share Consolidation

Metro Mining (ASX:MMI) received shareholder approval for a 20-for-1 share consolidation, effective Wednesday, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.The company currently has 6.14 billion issued shares, and it has stated that all existing performance rights will also be consolidated at the same ratio, with every 20 performance rights being combined into one, per the filing.Post-consolidation trading is scheduled to start on May 5 on a normal basis, with settlement of on-market trades starting on May 7, the filing added.The company's shares fell around 2% in recent Thursday trade.

ASX:MMI

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Prudential Life Extends Sales Halt in Japan Amid Probe

Prudential Life Insurance extended its suspension of new policy sales in Japan by 180 days to early November as it works to address misconduct involving employees, Nikkei reported Thursday.The insurer said more than 100 current and former staff received about 3.1 billion yen from customers through improper means. The halt on sales has been in place since early February, according to the report.Japan's Financial Services Agency has started an on-site inspection of the group's local holding company, reviewing governance and compliance, the report said.Prudential Life plans changes, including clearer roles for executives and branch managers and a shift away from commission-based pay for sales staff. Compensation will be linked more closely to factors such as policy retention and compliance, according to the report.Complaints are also being reviewed at affiliate Gibraltar Life Insurance, with groupwide cases reaching roughly 700. The parent company expects the extended suspension in Japan to reduce pre-tax adjusted operating income by as much as $575 million this year, 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.)

Nikkei 225

Asia67d ago

Develop Global Declares Commercial Production at New South Wales Copper-Zinc Project; Shares Reach 14-Year Peak

Develop Global (ASX:DVP) said it declared commercial production at the Woodlawn copper-zinc project in New South Wales after achieving and exceeding steady-state production rate of 850,000 tonnes per year during the March quarter, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.The Woodlawn production was stress-tested at rates in excess of its nameplate capacity, reaching a mining rate of 966,000 tonnes per annum and a processing rate of 932,000 tonnes per annum.Ore mined at the project rose 46% quarter over quarter to 181,973 tonnes, while copper-equivalent production jumped 88% to around 3,150 tonnes in the March quarter. Concentrate production increased 50% to 14,119 tonnes.The company is also targeting a final investment decision for the Sulphur Springs copper-silver-zinc project in Western Australia in the June quarter.Develop Global's shares rose past 5% in recent trading on Thursday and earlier reached a 14-year high point.

ASX:DVP

Asia67d ago

Huaqin Rises 13% in Hong Kong Trading Debut

Huaqin's (HKG:3296; SHA:603296) shares opened 12.7% above their initial public offering price during the company's Hong Kong debut on Thursday morning.The China-based smart hardware products manufacturer opened at HK$87.55 per share, up from the offer price of HK$77.70.Huaqin's Shanghai-listed shares edged down marginally.

HKG:3296SHA:603296

Asia67d ago

Resolute Mining Reports Lower Q1 Gold Production; Shares Up 4%

Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG) reported first-quarter gold production of 59,603 ounces, down from 75,497 ounces a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.The company said its all-in sustaining costs of $2,210 per ounce were in line with guidance as cost reductions partially offset higher royalty payments that were driven by record average realized gold prices.Resolute Mining is on track to meet full-year production guidance of 250,000 to 275,000 ounces, it said.The company's shares gained nearly 4% in recent Thursday trade.

ASX:RSG

Asia67d ago

Mirvac Group Posts 12% Rise in Fiscal Q3 Residential Sales, Reiterates Fiscal 2026 Operating EPS Guidance

Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) said residential sales for the fiscal third quarter reached 592 sales, up 12% year on year, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.The company said year-to-date settlements reached 1,076, up 15% year on year, with about 96% of the fiscal 2026 target lot settlements secured and margins on track to be within the 18% to 22% target range.Land lease settlements were 333, up 14% year on year, with sales rising 42% year on year to 428, while office and industrial occupancy was maintained at about 97% with minimal near-term expiry risk, the filing added.Mirvac reiterated its fiscal 2026 guidance, targeting operating earnings per share of AU$0.128 to AU$0.13, representing growth of 6.7% to 8.3%, and a distribution of AU$0.095 per share, representing growth of 5.6%.The company's shares fell nearly 2% in recent Thursday trade.

ASX:MGR

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Sony Life Launches Probes Over Alleged Customer Fraud Cases

Sony Group's (TYO:6758) insurance arm, Sony Life Insurance, is investigating roughly 20 to 30 instances of alleged financial misconduct committed against its customers, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday.The insurer plans to launch a comprehensive internal probe, while Japan's Financial Services Agency is considering ordering the company to submit a formal report on the matter, the news agency said.In January, Sony Life had already disclosed that a former employee misappropriated customer funds that had been entrusted for investment purposes, the publication 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.)

TYO:6758

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Japan Airlines To Enable Facial Recognition Boarding by 2035

Japan Airlines (TYO:9201) plans to introduce facial recognition boarding for international flights by fiscal 2035, removing the need for tickets and most document checks, Nikkei reported Thursday.A recent trial on a Tokyo-Hong Kong-London route used biometrics for check-in, security, lounges and boarding, with only border controls requiring passports. Passengers register via an app by linking passport data and a facial image before arrival, unlike the airline's current system, which requires airport kiosks, according to the report.The setup combines passport and biometric data to strengthen identity checks and will extend to partner airline transfers, the report said.The push reflects rising passenger volumes and pressure on airport capacity. Japan Airlines aims to roll out the system within its long-term plan and expand adoption across airports and airlines, subject to regulatory approval, 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.)

TYO:9201

Asia67d ago

Heartland Group Holdings' Underlying Net Profit After Tax Rise in Fiscal Q3

Heartland Group Holdings' (ASX:HGH, NZE:HGH) underlying net profit after tax for the fiscal 2026 third quarter came in at NZ$21.4 million, according to a Thursday Australian bourse filing.It reported underlying net profit after tax of NZ$17.1 million in the year-ago quarter, according to a separate filing.The firm is closely monitoring potential impacts on customer demand and credit quality in New Zealand and Australia in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East.Heartland Bank's March quarter average net interest margin was down 3 basis points to 4.09%, with the exit net interest margin down 9 basis points to 4.02%, driven by portfolio mix. Both are expected to increase in the June quarter due to ongoing benefits from reduced cost of funds. Geopolitical risks may create headwinds for net interest margin, it cautioned.Heartland Bank's overall nonperforming loan ratio fell by 23 basis points in the March quarter since Dec. 30, 2025, to 2.81%.It remains on track to deliver an underlying return on equity of at least 7% and an underlying net profit after tax of at least NZ$85 million for the financial year ending June 30, per the filing.Its shares rose 1% in recent trading on Thursday.

ASX:HGHNZE:HGH

Asia67d ago

Market Chatter: Japan to Unveil New Indo-Pacific Plan in Vietnam

Japan is preparing to roll out a revised Indo-Pacific strategy that places supply chain resilience and economic security at its core, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set to present the plan during a visit to Vietnam, Nikkei reported Thursday.The trip, which also includes Australia, will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, particularly with Southeast Asian economies. The updated framework reshapes the approach first introduced in 2016 to reflect intensifying rivalry over critical technologies and resources, according to the report.At the center of the plan are efforts to secure key materials such as rare earths, diversify energy sourcing, and reduce exposure to disruptions seen during recent global crises. Japan also aims to expand collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technology through greater public and private investment, the report said.Security ties will be reinforced through expanded use of defense assistance programs that supply equipment to partner countries, alongside development aid to deepen economic links, 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.)

Nikkei 225

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