PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE & SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS: Rio Tinto (RIO AT) Q2 Pilbara iron ore production was flat Y/Y at 83.5mln tonnes, Pilbara iron ore shipments rose 7% Y/Y to 85.3mln tonnes (exp. 83.1mln tonnes)

AUSTRALIA

Amplitude Energy (AEL AT) - Co. reported FY output of 27.6 petajoules equivalent, FY revenue rose 7% to AUD 285.8mln, average realised natural gas price rose 4% to AUD 10.35/GJ, and ended June with net debt of AUD 37.2mln. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Evolution Mining (EVN AT) - Co. reported FY gold output of 715k oz, FY copper output of 66k tonnes, FY cash flow reached a record AUD 1.39bln, and expects FY27 all-in sustaining cost inflation of 4-5%. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Ingenia Communities Group (INA AT) - Co.’s proposed acquisition of Peet faces questions over how the transaction would be funded despite its strategic rationale. (The Australian)

Orora (ORA AT) - Private equity firms are reportedly assessing the Co. after its market value fell 38% this year, potentially reviving discussions over a break-up. (The Australian)

Rio Tinto (RIO AT) - Co. Q2 Pilbara iron ore production was flat Y/Y at 83.5mln tonnes, Pilbara iron ore shipments rose 7% Y/Y to 85.3mln tonnes (exp. 83.1mln tonnes), copper output fell 7% Y/Y to 213k tonnes, maintained FY Pilbara iron ore shipment guidance at 323mln-338mln tonnes and sales guidance at 343mln-366mln tonnes, reaffirmed 2026 production and sales guidance, cut copper C1 net unit cost guidance to USD 0.30-0.50/lb, said Simandou’s SimFer mine and port infrastructure is more than 75% complete, is actively testing the market for its Borates business, and is evaluating options for its Iron & Titanium business. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Energy - Australian power production costs could rise 55% after 2030 as the grid is rebuilt to meet net-zero targets and the cost advantage provided by coal generation fades. (The Australian)

Broker Ratings/Price Target

CAR Group (CAR AT) - Price target cut 12% to AUD 30.60/shr at Citi.

JAPAN

Japan Airlines (9201 JT) - Co. and Marriott International (MAR) introduced reciprocal benefits for more than 300mln loyalty programme members, including access to miles and room upgrades. (Nikkei)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011 JT) - Co. and NVIDIA (NVDA) are considering cooperation on cooling systems and energy management equipment for AI data centres to improve energy efficiency. (Nikkei)

Nippon Steel (5401 JT) - Co. recorded the highest profit per tonne of crude steel among major global blast-furnace steelmakers in Q1, supported by downsizing and pricing power. (Nikkei)

SBI Holdings (8473 JT) - Co. plans to offer overseas investors a Japan equity fund on blockchain with a Singapore partner, enabling 24-hour on-chain trading. (Nikkei)

Subaru (7270 JT) - Co. issued a recall for 541k SUVs over labels displaying an incorrect weight rating. (Newswires)

Trade - Japan’s ruling party is reportedly considering lifting the ban on US potatoes for fresh consumption as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

iM Financial Group (139130 KS) - Co. expanded its Pium Lab programme to support the growth of South Korea's fintech ecosystem. (ChosunBiz)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - KB Securities expects the Co. to face a memory supply crunch through 2028 and sees the current weakness as a buying opportunity. (ChosunBiz)