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

0425 GMT - New Zealand's NZX-50 closed 1.5% lower at 12896.67, dragged to its largest one-day fall in almost two months by broad-based losses. The benchmark index slipped at Wednesday's open amid regional concerns about political unrest in South Korea, and kept falling for most of the session. Only four stocks finished in positive territory as the NZX-50 hit its lowest closing level since Nov. 21. Large-cap utility providers Contact Energy, Mercury NZ and Meridian Energy lost between 2.05% and 3.7%. Real-estate stocks were particularly weak, with Stride, Investore, Argosy and Fletcher Building losing between 3.0% and 5.9%. ([email protected])

0420 GMT - Press Metal Aluminium could benefit from likely higher demand from China on the expectation of an economic recovery in 2025, UOB Kay Hian analysts write in a note. The recovery will significantly boost global aluminum consumption, as China accounts for over 50% of global demand, they say. The aluminum company's nine-month results were above expectations, largely due to stronger-than-expected profitability from its associate, PT Bintan, they add. UOB Kay Hian raises its 2024 earnings forecast for the company by 9% to factor in stronger profitability from the associate. The brokerage maintains the stock's MYR6.30 target price and a buy rating. Shares last 0.4% higher at MYR5.03.([email protected])

0412 GMT - Indian shares are higher, led by gains in tech and industrial stocks, as hopes continue for the Reserve Bank of India's possible rate cuts. Tech Mahindra rises 1.2% and Larsen & Toubro is 0.7% higher. Indian Energy Exchange adds 2.0% after electricity traded volume climbed 16% on year in November. Investors are focusing on any developments over the war in Ukraine and RBI policy ahead of its policy meeting on Friday. The Sensex is up 0.2% at 81103.19. ([email protected]; @kosakunarioka)

0407 GMT - The outlook for Singapore's air passenger traffic remains bright, underpinned by strong consumer travel demand, easing inflation, and a positive macroeconomic backdrop, DBS Group Research analysts say in a note. Increasing aircraft utilization and aging fleet could boost maintenance activity, with more previous-generation aircraft expected to enter heavy check cycles, the analysts add. DBS prefers service providers over airlines, with Singapore Technologies Engineering and SATS as its top picks in Singapore's aviation sector. ST Engineering is favored for its robust growth profile, attractive valuation and potential upside from its defense business. DBS has buy ratings and target prices of S$5.40 and S$4.40 on ST Engineering and SATS, respectively. ([email protected])

0353 GMT - Meituan's profitability is likely to improve despite revenue concerns, says Morningstar analyst Kai Wang in a research note. Given robust growth of the travel sector, the analyst raises the operating margin forecast for Meituan's hotel and travel business over the long term to 30% from 25%. Still, revenue might be hurt by intensifying competition from rivals such as Alibaba's Ele.me and ByteDance's TikTok, and other factors. The analyst raises the fair value estimate for Meituan to HK$146.00 from HK$127.00 on its improved profitability. Shares are 1.4% higher at HK$167.80. ([email protected])

0352 GMT - THe Ill Effects of South Korea's Overnight Brush With Martial Law on the Economy and Financial Markets Could Be Short Lived,Citi research analysts says in a note. While outflow pressures will increase and pose upside risk for the dollar-won pair--especially given that positioning had lightened up recently--uncertainties surrounding the political and economic environment could be quickly mitigated by "proactive policy response" from the Bank of Korea and policymakers, Citi says. For example, the finance minister has said they are pledging unlimited liquidity to stabilize the financial market if necessary, Citi highlights. Once things settle, policymakers will likely step up fiscal support, though this means higher spending over a longer run, Citi adds. ([email protected])

0234 GMT - The selloff in ADRs of Korean companies is unlikely to continue after South Korea's surprise brief period of martial law, says Lorraine Tan, regional director at Morningstar, in a note. The short-lived martial law declaration highlights that political risks and leadership issues remain a factor in South Korea, Tan says. Morningstar maintains its fair value estimates for South Korean companies under its coverage, as it sees the situation as a short-term event. "We think share price weakness is an opportunity to buy selectively," Tan says. SK Hynix is preferred as it benefits from artificial intelligence-related server demand, Tan adds. ([email protected])

0153 GMT - Political uncertainty could continue in South Korea, after parliament voted against President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise martial-law announcement overnight, MUFG Bank's Michael Wan says. The opposition party may propose to impeach President Yoon today, the senior currency analyst adds. President Yoon's time in office appears to be running out with his approval ratings at rock-bottom levels, Wan says. South Korea is already among one of the countries more vulnerable to U.S. President-elect Trump's proposed tariffs, Wan adds. "This recent development could raise some further risk premium on the currency at least until we get clarity on political stability," Wan says.([email protected])

0146 GMT - Chinese shares are lower in early trade. Airlines and property stocks are leading the declines with Hainan Airport Infrastructure down 2.0%, China Vanke declining 1.3% and Spring Airlines falling 1.1%. However, semiconductor stocks are among the top gainers after China tightened export control of some raw materials to the U.S. Naura Technology Group is up 2.6% and Cambricon Technologies is 1.8% higher. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index is down 0.4% at 3365.88, the Shenzhen Composite Index is off 0.5% and the ChiNext Price Index is 0.4% lower.([email protected]; @ivy_jiahuihuang)

0144 GMT - Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index falls 0.4% to 19673.38 as investors digest recent developments. China on Tuesday banned exports of critical metals used in semiconductor fabrication and other high tech products, RBC Capital Markets' Alvin T. Tan says in an email. This came after the U.S. tightened curbs on sales of chips and chipmaking equipment to China, the head of Asia FX Strategy adds. Among the worst performers on the benchmark index, New World Development falls 1.8%, Hang Seng Bank sheds 1.9%, and Alibaba Group loses 1.8%. Meanwhile, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. rises 2.3% and Geely Automobile adds 1.4%. The Hang Seng Tech Index is 0.2% higher at 4428.08. ([email protected])

0138 GMT - The big question in the wake of the South Korean's short-lived declaration of martial law is whether large-scale protests will emerge in Seoul and other major cities, says BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company. Analysts wonder if protests could cause President Yoon to publicly reverse course or double down by ensuring security forces disperse and/or arrest protesters. "Any incidents of violence would likely raise great concerns among South Korea's democratic allies, especially the U.S. and Japan, with which it has deepening military ties." Outgoing U.S. President Biden's leverage is likely limited as he has little time left in office, and Japanese PM Ishiba is in a weak position domestically, BMI says in a note. The incident could raise concerns about South Korea's democratic credentials, it adds. ([email protected])

0130 GMT - Risk-taking will likely remain capped for now as near-term uncertainty over President Yoon Suk Yeol's leadership persists, says Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG. "Markets will prefer a quick resolution to the stand-off and for political stability to return, but for now, it seems that the uncertainty over his leadership may continue to drag on for some time," he says in a note. The Kospi index is down 1.8%. ([email protected])

(END) Dow Jones Newswires