The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

2142 ET - Chinese shares are mixed after opening lower. China's benchmark lending rates are left on hold again this month with policymakers likely watching to see how the trade war with the U.S. unfolds before taking further steps to stimulate the economy. Defense stocks lead the gainers. AVIC Chengdu Aircraft is 0.7% higher and AECC Aviation Power rises 1.4%. Property stocks fall broadly, with China Vanke down 1.5% and Poly Developments & Holdings Group losing 1.1%. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index is 0.2% higher at 3282.74, the Shenzhen Composite Index edges 0.1% higher and the ChiNext Price Index is down 0.1%. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

2134 ET - Singapore Airlines' FY 2026 earnings could benefit from the recent fall in jet fuel prices, UOB Kay Hian's Roy Chen says in a research report. Prices have dropped around 8% over the past two weeks owing to global recessionary fears, the analyst notes. Assuming jet fuel prices stay at the current level of about US$84/bbl, SIA's average fuel cost per unit of capacity after hedging in FY 2026 would be about 9% lower than FY 2025 average levels, the analyst estimates. The brokerage lifts its FY 2026 and FY 2027 earnings forecasts for SIA by 17% and 6%, respectively. It raises the stock's target price to S$6.22 from S$6.09 with an unchanged hold rating. Shares are 0.2% higher at S$6.39. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

2108 ET - Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index rises 0.8% to 3748.86 in early trade on possible position adjustments amid holidays in some parts of Asia. Investor cautiousness has persisted, Commerzbank Research analysts say in a research report. "The Q1 earnings season is upon us and investors have to contend with the earnings reports and implications of the U.S. tariffs," they add. Among best performers on the benchmark index, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding climbs 11%, Jardine Matheson Holdings rises 1.6%, and index heavyweight DBS is 1.5% higher. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

2107 ET - Malaysia's benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index is 0.1% higher at 1500.34. The KLCI's gains may be uneven as U.S.-China trade tensions persist and a proposed U.S. levy on Chinese vessels could disrupt global shipping and fuel inflation, Apex Securities says in a note. Energy sector may stay in focus amid U.S.-Iran talks and new OPEC+ quotas, the brokerage reckons. It remains cautious on plantations as CPO futures fall below MYR4,000/ton. Among the gainers, Press Metal Aluminium adds 1.2% and Sunway is up 1.1%. Meanwhile, IHH Healthcare is down 1.3% and Tenaga Nasional is 0.4% lower. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

2011 ET - Japanese stocks are lower as uncertainty over U.S. tariffs and their economic implications continue. Electronics and bank stocks are leading falls. TDK is down 1.7% and Murata Manufacturing is 1.6% lower while Mizuho Financial Group is down 1.3% and Resona Holdings is 1.5% lower. USD/JPY is at 141.40, down sharply from 142.33 as of Friday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are closely watching any developments related to U.S. tariffs ahead of the domestic earnings season set to start later this week. The Nikkei Stock Average is down 0.5% at 34570.37. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com; @kosakunarioka)

1942 ET - Japanese stocks may fall as uncertainty over U.S. tariffs and their economic implications continue. Nikkei futures are down 1.1% at 34475 on the SGX. USD/JPY is at 141.55, down sharply from 142.33 as of Friday's Tokyo stock market close. Investors are focusing on any developments related to U.S. tariffs ahead of the domestic earnings season set to start later this week. The Nikkei Stock Average rose 1.0% to 34730.28 on Friday. (kosaku.narioka@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 20, 2025 21:42 ET (01:42 GMT)

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