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

1014 GMT - BP's new CEO Meg O'Neill wastes no time putting her stamp on the business, AJ Bell's investment director Russ Mould writes. She has put BP's U.S. biogas business Archaea up for sale just days after doing the same for its U.K. North Sea assets. O'Neill will be aware she can't rely on oil and gas prices remaining high forever and will need to ensure the company can prosper when the backdrop isn't as supportive, he adds. BP shares rise 1% to 557.70 pence. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

1011 GMT - India's central bank is likely to keep its policy repo rate at 5.25% on Wednesday, according to 12 out of 13 economists polled by The Wall Street Journal. "Rising inflation has reduced the scope for policymakers to remain on the sidelines, while the renewed weakness in the rupee will be a factor too," said Shilan Shah of Capital Economics, who expects the Reserve Bank of India to raise its repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50%. However, HSBC economists believe that India is in a "sweet spot" given better growth, inflation and external finances data recently, and that RBI may prefer to see firmer inflation prints before making a move. (kimberley.kao@wsj.com)

0956 GMT - Taiwan's July exports likely remained strong on continued AI-related demand. Exports likely gained 40.2% on year last month, after rising 40.3% in June, according to a WSJ poll of six economists. As Big Tech continue to raise their AI investment, Taiwan's hardware makers, led by TSMC, have been the biggest beneficiaries. Thanks to its robust tech exports, the island's economy grew 12.92% in 2Q, topping market expectations. Still, economists caution that the recent tech sell-off is causing jitters and it is unclear how long the tech capital expenditure cycle will continue. DBS economists think that the AI-driven export supercycle has peaked and Taiwan could see a more normalized growth trajectory. The trade data are due Friday. (sherry.qin@wsj.com)

0939 GMT - Ams-Osram's strong second-quarter results show that the Austria-based electronics company is progressing well when it comes to opportunities in AI photonics and smartglasses, JPMorgan analysts write in a research note. "Overall the results signal continued stabilization and solid growth in the core business, and good progress on the new growth initiatives," they say. The company said it launched development of micro-photodiode arrays--semiconductors that convert light into tiny electric signals--for AI data centers. It also said it achieved key milestones toward mass-production of technology for augmented-reality smartglasses. Ams-Osram shares trade 6% higher at 17.65 Swiss francs. (mauro.orru@wsj.com)

0923 GMT - Aluminum Corp. of China seems well-positioned to benefit from tighter global supply of the base metal, given the alumina refiner's relatively stable power availability and raw material supply, says Fitch Ratings in a note. The Middle East conflict has intensified concerns over the metal's supply after Gulf smelters were struck, as the region accounts for around 8%-9% of aluminum production. Production curtailments in the region due to the Strait of Hormuz closure should keep aluminum prices elevated in 2027 even if the waterway reopens this year, it adds. Chalco is also likely to benefit from the Chinese government's support of parent company Chinalco, due to the state-owned enterprise's strategic importance to China's energy transition, power infrastructure and resource-security objectives, Fitch says. (megan.cheah@wsj.com)

0913 GMT - Ams-Osram reported strong second-quarter sales that got a boost from its semiconductor business, Vontobel's Mark Diethelm writes in a research note. The Austria-based electronics company posted revenue of 805 million euros, with the semiconductor business contributing 621 million euros to the total. Diethelm notes the semiconductor business fared particularly well in the industrial and medical segment, where sales increased 19% on year. Ams-Osram's lamps and systems business contributed 184 million euros in revenue, accounting for about 23% of the total. Ams-Osram shares trade 7.1% higher at 17.83 Swiss francs. (mauro.orru@wsj.com)

0913 GMT - Adyen should deliver a solid second-quarter performance to ease concerns, Jefferies analysts Hannes Leitner and Charles Brennan write in a note. The Amsterdam-based payments provider is due to report its first-half results on Aug. 13. Market sentiment continues to be gloomy, they say. "A solid second quarter with more than 20% constant currency growth would be enough without fully de-risking 2026 guidance," they add. Shares are up 2% at 926.90 euros. (najat.kantouar@wsj.com)

0908 GMT - Indian equities are expected to outperform its global peers in major markets over the next 18 months, supported by strong fundamentals and limited exposure to artificial intelligence, Capital Economics says. Economist Megan Fisher says valuations and earnings growth no longer appear stretched, as rising valuations elsewhere have narrowed India's valuation premium. Strong economic and corporate earnings growth should support equities, with real investment expected to exceed consensus forecasts. Indian stocks are also less vulnerable to a broad AI-driven selloff expected in 2027 as market has relatively low weighting in AI and semiconductor companies. Meanwhile, strong domestic retail inflows are likely to persist, while foreign demand is projected to recover. CE forecasts the MSCI India Index to rise more than 4% by year-end before falling 5% in 2027. (jason.chau@wsj.com)

0906 GMT - HSBC Holdings' results show notable growth in the London-based bank's balance sheet, which limited its capital distribution, explaining a smaller-than-expected share buyback of $1 billion, Jefferies's Joseph Dickerson says. HSBC's buyback fell short of the $2 billion Jefferies expected, the analyst says in a research note. The results should lead to modest upgrades to the consensus estimate despite HSBC flagging that it might increase costs this year and next to accelerate initiatives around revenue growth, with incremental cost savings of $500 million offsetting the rise, Jefferies says. An increase in Hong Kong new-to-bank customers should help to allay recent concerns among investors about compliance matters in China, Jefferies says, referring to recent penalties against brokers in the country. Shares in London are up 1.3% at 1,576.60 pence. (michael.hennessey@wsj.com)

0902 GMT - BP's results show new CEO Meg O'Neill's approach is starting to work, research director at XTB Kathleen Brooks writes. O'Neill got a boost from supportive market conditions that pushed oil and gas prices higher, but she has refocused the business around hydrocarbons, Brooks says. She has also had to navigate internal volatility after the ousting of the company's chairman in May, she adds. BP shares rise 1% to 557.70 pence.(adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0856 GMT - Palantir's second-quarter results are strong, but the technology group will struggle to beat sky-high expectations going forward, Jefferies analysts write. A near-doubling of quarterly revenue and a lift to the company's 2026 outlook encouraged investors following earnings reported after market close Monday. However, Palantir has now set a very high bar, one that it will need perfect execution to clear, the analysts say. "We are fundamental fans, but the setup gets harder from here." Growth outside of the U.S. is moderating, while Palantir stock is valued for no slip-ups, they say. Other AI-linked companies offer a better risk-reward outlook, like Microsoft, Amazon and Snowflake, the analysts add. Shares jump over 15% premarket.(josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

0858 GMT - AB InBev can look forward to a strong earnings performance for the year after posting a solid first half, James Edwardes Jones at RBC Capital Markets writes in a note to clients. The brewer of Corona and Bud Light said the soccer World Cup and a more premium mix helped lift revenue and earnings above market expectations over the first six months of the year. That should ensure the Belgian-listed group nets organic growth in its Ebitda above the midpoint of a targeted 4%-8% range for the year, according to RBC's estimates. The bank lifts its target price on the stock to 93 euros from 85 euros.