PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCK NEWS: Samsung beats operating profit estimates, Toyota announces USD 3.6bln US expansion, Hanwha Ocean loses Canadian contract

Australia

A2 Milk (A2M AT) - Co. says that China label infant milk formula sales are down by c. 14% due to supply chain issues, however all other product categories are significantly up. FY26 results to be in line with, or slightly above, April's guidance. (A2 Milk)

Bellevue Gold (BGL AT) - Co. reported 4Q gold output of 41,643oz, FY26 gold output of 143,500oz, FY26 all-in sustaining cost within guidance. (Bellevue Gold) 

Betr Entertainment (BBT AT) - Co. is set to become the first corporate bookmaker to leave the Northern Territory as a tax hike threatens a wider industry exodus. (The Australian)

Fortescue (FMG AT) - Co. paid AUD 150.3mln in compensation to traditional owners after a legal battle. (The Australian)

Lynas Rare Earths (LYC AT) - Co. signs a long-term partnership agreement with JS Link, in which Lynas will make a AUD 50mln equity investment in JS Link and supply rare earths to JS Link’s Yesan Factory. (Lynas Rare Earths)

Netwealth (NWL AT) - Co. is to provide a domestic platform solution for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Australia. (Netwealth)

Qantas Airways (QAN AT) - Co. and Airbus invested more than AUD 6mln into two companies including a Brisbane start-up working to convert household waste into sustainable aviation fuel. (The Australian)

South32 (S32 AT) - Co.’s plans for a USD 2bln zinc and manganese mine in Arizona is set to be authorised by the US Forest Service on Tuesday, Bloomberg reports. (Bloomberg)

Stakk (SKK AT) - Co. agreed to acquire US software company ParaScript for AUD 90mln in a deal subject to shareholder approval. (AFR) 

West African Resources (WAF AT) - Q2 gold output 125,179oz; on track to hit FY guidance. (West African Resources)

Japan

Aeon (8267 JT) - Co. aims to have 30 shopping centres in Vietnam by fiscal 2030, more than tripling the nine sites currently in operation. (Nikkei)

Disco (6146 JT) - Co. Q1 (JPY) sales rose 26% Y/Y to 95.0bln from 75.4bln. (Disco)

Japaniace (9558 JT) - Co. announced a share repurchase programme of up to 120k shares, representing 3.03% of issued share capital, for JPY 200mln. (Japaniace) 

MUFG (8306 JT), JCB - Cos have entered a MoU regarding a strategic alliance in the ASEAN region. (JCN Newswire)

Nissan Motor (7201 JT) - Co. competed in the Shanghai round of Formula E to showcase its performance and technological capabilities to Chinese consumers. (Nikkei)

Sapporo Breweries (2501 JT) - Co. will invest USD 643mln in a JV with Carlsberg as part of a strategic partnership in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. (Nikkei)

SoftBank (9984 JT) - Co., alongside D1 Capital Partners and Altimeter, are reportedly among the investors to participate in the c. USD 2bln funding of Thrive Holdings, The Information reports. (The Information)

Toyota Motor (7203 JT) - Co.’s North America unit announces USD 3.6bln expansion of its San Antonio manufacturing campus, adding a second vehicle assembly line to support Tacoma production. (WSJ)

Other News:

• Japan is considering developing an AI system to manage the distribution of relief supplies after disasters, combining information from government agencies and businesses, according to the Nikkei.

South Korea

Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) - Canadian PM Carney says Canada has the right to opt for South Korean submarines in the event talks with TKMS (TKMS GY) fail. (Newswires)

HD Hyundai Electric (267260 KS) - Co. raised its 2026 order target to USD 5.185bln from USD 4.222bln as demand for its core product line, power transformers, has surged. (Yonhap) 

LG (003550 KS) - Co. is partnering with the Korea Fair Trade Commission to expand co-prosperity payments to second- and third-tier partners. (ChosunBiz) 

LG Energy (373220 KS) - Q2 (KRW): Revenue 7.56tln (exp. 7.22tln), Operating Profit 113.3bln (exp. 210.7bln)

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Q2 2026 Prelim. (KRW): Revenue 171tln (exp. 172.2tln, prev. 74tln Y/Y), Operating Profit 89.4tln (exp. 84.2tln, prev. 4.60tln Y/Y). In other news, the Co.'s union announces that workers in the Co.'s smartphone, television and home appliance division will stage a rally on July ‌16th to protest the big bonuses the chip workers have negotiated. (Reuters)

SK Hynix (000660 KS) - Co. is looking to raise KRW 43.14tln from its US IPO. The Co. plans to use the proceeds from its IPO for capital expenditures and EUV lithography scanners. (Newswires)

Other News:

• South Korea’s trade association has requested USTR Greer to defer or lower the proposed forced labour tariff.
• South Korea’s Trade Ministry says the second round of negotiations between South Korea and Singapore has started.