PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN AND JAPANESE STOCKS NEWS: AMP (AMP AT) is considering selling its banking business below book value as speculation over a potential merger with Colonial First State intensifies; South Korean markets are closed

AUSTRALIA AMP (AMP AT) - Co. is considering selling its banking business below book value as speculation over a potential merger with Colonial First State intensifies. (The Australian) ANZ Group (ANZ AT) - Co. is restructuring around 400 technology roles as CEO Nuno Matos pushes to offshore more technology work. (AFR) Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AT) - A senior executive at the Co. joint-owned Colonial First State has reportedly departed as CBA and KKR struggle to attract interest in the AUD 5bln sale of the wealth management business. (The Australian) Healius (HLS AT) - Co. has sold Agilex Biolabs for AUD 160mln. (AFR) Insurance Australia Group (IAG AT) - Co. settled Federal Court proceedings brought by Credit Suisse relating to its IAL subsidiary, with terms confidential; the Co. expects no material FY27 impact based on anticipated recoveries, while White Oak's proceedings against IAL remain on foot and continue to be defended. (Dow Jones Newswires) Maas Group Holdings (MGH AT) - Co. is increasing its exposure to AI data centre developer Firmus ahead of a potential sharemarket listing that could value Firmus at up to AUD 128bln, while the Co. will no longer provide short-term earnings guidance. (AFR) Netwealth Group (NWL AT) - Co. will defend a class action related to First Guardian concerning issues investigated by the investments regulator; the Co. entered a court-enforceable undertaking in 2025 and completed an AUD 101mln compensation programme in January. (Dow Jones Newswires) Star Entertainment Group (SGR AT) - Queensland has delayed the return of the Co.’s casino licences amid governance concerns, with the Co. given until March to address outstanding remediation requirements at its Queensland operations. (AFR/The Australian) Retailers David Jones - Co. suppliers reportedly fear a potential receivership after lender Hilco Capital hired insolvency firm McGrathNicol to advise on its position with the department store. (The Australian) Other News Broker Ratings/Price Target Contact Energy (CEN NZ) price target raised 0.5% to NZD 10.93/shr by Macquarie. Minerals 260 (MI6 AT) started at Outperform by Macquarie, price target AUD 1.30/shr. Tuas (TUA AT) price target cut 12% to AUD 2.95/shr by Citi. JAPAN Japan Exchange Group (8697 JT) - Co. FY27 (JPY) guidance raised to operating revenue 252.5bln (prev. 241.5bln), operating income 154.5bln (prev. 145.5bln), net income attributable to owners of the parent 105bln (prev. 98.5bln) and EPS 102.90 (prev. 96.53), reflecting revised assumptions for average daily trading values and volumes. (Newswires) Nishimatsuya Chain (7545 JT) - Co. September all-store sales rose 15.2% Y/Y and existing-store sales rose 12.4% Y/Y; YTD all-store sales rose 6.6% Y/Y and existing-store sales rose 3.1% Y/Y. (Newswires) Toyoda Gosei (7282 JT) - Co. plans to build a new auto parts factory in western India, with production expected to begin in 2029 to support Toyota Motor's (7203 JT) planned capacity expansion in the country. (Nikkei) Other News Japan reportedly plans to finance economic security spending mainly through "bridging bonds", reducing the need for the issuance of deficit bonds. (Nikkei)