PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN STOCK NEWS: Woodside Energy (WDS AT) suspended pre-commissioning at its Scarborough gas project after Greenpeace activists boarded the offshore platform

Cleanaway Waste Management (CWY AT) - Co.'s exclusivity period with EQT Infrastructure expires at 07:00 AEDT on Monday 19th October; Co. said it will provide an update before the market opens, with the parties still negotiating an implementation deed for EQT's non-binding AUD 3.13/shr proposal. (ASX announcement) It was later terported that EQT agreed to acquire Australia's Cleanaway for AUD 3.095/shr in cash. (Newswires) Rio Tinto (RIO AT) - CEO said Co. is looking to build commodity trading capabilities. (Newswires) South32 (S32 AT) - Co. said shareholders approved the sale of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa (AA) on 15 October. (Newswires) Woodside Energy (WDS AT) - Co. suspended pre-commissioning activities at its Scarborough gas project off Western Australia after Greenpeace activists boarded the offshore platform on Saturday and remained overnight; Co. said work remained on hold on Sunday and the disruption could result in significant additional costs, but gave no timeframe for a restart. The project is 98% complete and targeting first LNG cargo in Q4 2026. (Bloomberg) Broker Ratings/Price Target Megaport (MP1 AT) Price target cut to AUD 26.00/shr by Bell Potter. Mesoblast (MSB AT) Price target cut to AUD 4.40/shr by Bell Potter. Paladin Energy (PDN AT) Upgraded to Buy by Morgans; price target cut to AUD 13.10/shr. PLS Group (PLS AT) Price target cut 6.8% to AUD 4.10/shr by Bell Potter. Other News Australian property prices slid amid tax pressures and rising interest rates. (Newswires) Vale CEO said China iron ore demand remains solid. (Newswires)