PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE & SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS: Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) discussed expanding high-bandwidth memory chip sales and long-term supply agreements with major customers at a recent global strategy meeting

AUSTRALIA

A2 Milk Company (A2M AT) - Co. received final regulatory approval in China for its infant milk formula products, with the board proposing a NZD 300mln special dividend. (Motley Fool)

Ansell (ANN AT) - Co. appointed Belgium-based executive Erik Van den Enden as Chief Financial Officer effective September 1. (The Australian)

Growthpoint Properties Australia (GOZ AT) - Co. declared a H2 distribution of 9.2 Australian cents/security. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Metcash (MTS AT) - Co. FY (AUD) net fell 1.5% Y/Y to 279.1mln, EBIT fell 0.8% Y/Y to 503.7mln, rev. rose 0.2% Y/Y to 17.35bln, dividend AUD 0.095 (prev. AUD 0.095), said sales were steady at the start of FY27 with improved trading in June, expects AUD 25mln in annualised savings in FY27 and suspended its dividend reinvestment plan until further notice. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Oceania Healthcare (OCA NZ) - Co. launched an offer of up to NZD 100mln of six-year fixed-rate secured unsubordinated bonds and expects to complete the bookbuild process on June 25. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

Perenti (PRN AT) - Co. said Barminco was awarded a 45-month underground mining services contract at Barrick's Fourmile project valued at AUD 275mln, with work due to commence in July. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

SGH (SGH AT) - Co. approved an on-market share buyback of up to AUD 500mln following a reduction in leverage below its 2.0x target and said the buyback will not constrain investment or inorganic growth opportunities. (Dow Jones Newsplus)

WiseTech Global Ltd (WTC AT) - Co. boss Richard White is reportedly being probed by the AFP human exploitation taskforce over sex and trafficking claims. (SMH)

CS Energy - Co. is facing a AUD 1bln lawsuit related to the troubled Callide power station. (The Australian)

JAPAN

Honda Motor (7267 JT) - Co. affiliates are reportedly facing sales declines and cost pressure as Honda cuts production in China amid weak sales. (Nikkei)

Nissan Motor (7201 JT) - Renault plans to abstain from voting for the reappointment of Motoo Nagai and new nominee Junichi Shinbo at the Co.’s annual shareholders meeting. (Bloomberg)

Suntory Beverage & Food (2587 JT) - Co. is seeking to tap anime fandom by printing custom acrylic cards of popular stars and characters through its vending machine operations. (Nikkei)

Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (9501 JT) - Co. is reportedly advancing capital tie-up talks with five parties including SoftBank, Japan Industrial Partners and three foreign investment groups. (Nikkei)

Toto (5332 JT) - Co. plans to invest JPY 80bln over five years to expand its semiconductor materials business, targeting next-generation 1-nanometre chipmaking technologies. (Nikkei)

Nippon Life Insurance - Co. is reportedly sitting on a paper profit of up to USD 3bln from its long-held SpaceX stake. (Nikkei)

Banks

Japan’s three megabanks are expected to pay more than JPY 2tln in combined dividends this fiscal year for the first time. (Nikkei)

Tech

Japan’s top five chipmaking equipment makers posted a 10% drop in combined China sales for the year ended March 31, the first decline on record. (Nikkei)

Japan is targeting USD 65bln in public-private investment in physical AI by 2040 as part of its growth strategy. (Nikkei)

Geopolitical

Japan and the US launched the Resolute Dragon island defence drills across Kyushu and Okinawa, with the exercise running through June 30. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

Hyundai Motor (005380 KS) - Co. India passenger vehicle sales rose 10.1% Y/Y to 266,317 units in January-May. (Yonhap)

Kia (000270 KS) - Co. India passenger vehicle sales rose 14.6% Y/Y to 139,197 units in January-May. (Yonhap)

Korean Air (003490 KS) - Co. said the cost of integrating Asiana Airlines could reach KRW 1tln, with merger synergies expected to offset the expense as early as the end of 2028. (Yonhap)

Korea Electric Power (015760 KS) - Co. will keep electricity rates unchanged for Q3, with adjusted fuel costs remaining at the maximum KRW 5/kWh for the July-September period. (Yonhap)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. discussed expanding high-bandwidth memory chip sales and long-term supply agreements with major customers at a recent global strategy meeting. (Yonhap)