PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE & SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS: BHP (BHP AT) sees a USD 2.3bln FY26 impairment charge on the Jansen project

AUSTRALIA

BHP Group (BHP AT) - Co. said cost blowouts at its Canadian potash projects rose to AUD 6.7bln after confirming the second stage expansion at its Jansen mine would take longer and cost more, affirmed FY27 capex of USD 11bln and sees a USD 2.3bln FY26 impairment charge on the Jansen project. (AFR; Newswires)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AT) - Co. appointed Victoria Ledda as chief information officer and Rodrigo Castillo as chief technology officer, effective July 1, reflecting the scale, importance and ambition of its technology agenda. (Dow Jones Newswires)

Dexus (DXS AT) - Palisade Investment Partners emerged as a potential bidder for the Co.'s embattled AUD 7.3bln infrastructure platform as suitors circle the business amid a deepening leadership crisis. (The Australian)

IDP Education (IEL AT) - Co. expects FY26 adjusted EBIT of AUD 122mln, a net leverage ratio of around 1.0x at June 30, a AUD 30mln net reduction in its FY26 cost base, additional FY27 cost reductions and announced a AUD 50mln on-market share buyback. (Dow Jones Newswires)

Macquarie Group (MQG AT) - Co.'s Macquarie Asset Management emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Aware Super's AUD 3bln-plus Victorian land titles registry as the sale process moves towards bilateral negotiations. (The Australian)

Pilbara Minerals (PLS AT) - Co. approved around AUD 175mln in pre-final investment decision capex for the P2000 project, including around AUD 100mln for processing plant procurement and engineering and around AUD 60mln for early works and operational preparation, with a final investment decision expected in the December quarter. (Dow Jones Newswires)

Regis Resources (RRL AT) - Co. said a new McPhillamys study confirmed filtered tailings as a viable pathway, estimated annual output of 190k oz with AISC of AUD 1,718/oz, total pre-production capital of AUD 1.08bln, reinstated the project’s ore reserve and targeted a final investment decision in H1 2028. (Dow Jones Newswires)

SkyCity Entertainment Group (SKC AT) - Co. entered a non-binding heads of agreement with an Australian regulator to settle matters related to Adelaide Casino, including a AUD 21mln fine and phasing out cash transactions over AUD 4,999. (Dow Jones Newswires)

JAPAN

Cosmo Energy Holdings (5021 JT) - Co. will continue investing in Middle East oil production, betting on a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as it plans to invest USD 1.9bln in resource development. (Nikkei)

Hitachi (6501 JT) - Co.’s Hitachi Energy plans to acquire Canadian transformer materials and parts supplier Canduct to secure North American production capacity amid power grid infrastructure demand from data centres. (Nikkei)

Itoham Yonekyu Holdings (2296 JT) - Co. will acquire New Zealand meat processor Greenlea Group for USD 460mln to boost US- and Europe-bound beef exports and scale up international operations. (Nikkei)

Obayashi (1802 JT) - Co. will acquire Multiplex Global for roughly USD 540mln as part of its global expansion strategy to offset waning domestic demand. (Nikkei)

Renesas Electronics (6723 JT) - Co. acquired US chip design software developer Pictorus to strengthen its software operations. (Nikkei)

Other News

Japan’s ruling LDP is weighing an end to mechanical primary balance targets, with a draft proposal favouring more flexible multi-year fiscal management and debt-to-GDP ratios. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

Kakao (035720 KS) - Co. had a KRW 98mln fine imposed by South Korea’s fair trade watchdog cancelled by the Seoul High Court over user notices on how to terminate music streaming service subscriptions. (Yonhap)

SK Inc. (034730 KS) - Co. said SK Group generated KRW 32.2tln in social value in 2025, up 23.8% Y/Y, as the conglomerate accelerated its sustainability initiatives. (Yonhap)