PRE-MARKET AUSTRALIAN, JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)** - Co. opened an AI chip R&D hub in Yokohama to collaborate with Japanese companies on advanced semiconductor packaging

AUSTRALIA BHP Group (BHP AT) - Co. offered Port Hedland workers an AUD 25k payment in an attempt to resolve an industrial dispute, but unions said the offer remains insufficient to bridge the gap. (The Australian) Coronado Global Resources (CRN AT) - Co. established two asset-level COO roles, appointing Shaun Newberry as interim COO of Australia and Brett Holbrook as interim COO of the US, with Craig Manz to remain until November to support the transition; the revised structure is designed to align leadership more closely with operating assets and support the Curragh reset programme. (Dow Jones Newsplus) National Australia Bank (NAB AT) - Co. restructured its corporate and institutional banking division, with around 68 bankers having their roles changed or eliminated, including senior staff who deal directly with some of its largest clients. (AFR) Syrah Resources (SYR AT) - Co. H1 (USD) net loss 107.9mln (prev. loss 59.8mln Y/Y), rev. 18.1mln (prev. 2.0mln Y/Y). (Newswires) Westgold Resources (WGX AT) - Co. expects FY27 gold output of 385-425k oz, all-in sustaining costs of AUD 2,980-3,380/oz, growth capital of AUD 450-480mln and exploration capital of AUD 50-75mln; FY29 gold output is expected at 460-510k oz with all-in sustaining costs of AUD 2,640-3,000/oz on an FY27 real-cost basis, while annual processing capacity is expected to exceed 7mln tonnes by FY29; the Fletcher Zone at Beta Hunt is excluded from the three-year outlook but could add around 140k oz to annual output once developed, with more than AUD 150mln to be spent on exploration and resource definition over three years. (Dow Jones Newsplus) Energy - Alinta Energy owner Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP) is seeking an investor for a stake in the 550MW Marri wind farm in Western Australia, while intending to retain an equity interest and remain closely involved in the project’s construction and operation. (AFR) JAPAN DMG Mori (6141 JT) - Co. and Okuma are strengthening cybersecurity protections for machine tools as tougher European standards and rising overseas demand increase the need for connected equipment to withstand cyberattacks. (Nikkei) NTT (9432 JT) - Co.’s IOWN optical communications fund selected Spanish switch maker iPronics as its first investment, joining Nvidia in the funding round as NTT seeks partners to commercialise its optical technology for AI. (Nikkei) Okuma (6103 JT) - Co. and DMG Mori are stepping up cybersecurity measures for machine tools in response to stricter European standards and growing connectivity as physical AI develops. (Nikkei) Seven & i Holdings (3382 JT) - Co.’s Seven-Eleven Japan unit is partnering with apparel retailer And ST to launch 23 fashion and lifestyle items at 7-Eleven stores nationwide from next month to attract younger customers. (Nikkei) Shin-Etsu Chemical (4063 JT) - Co., Toshiba and Niigata University developed a perovskite solar cell with around 50% greater durability than existing alternatives, which they say gives it the world’s highest durability as they work towards commercialisation. (Nikkei) Tamron (7740 JT) - Co. is considering an acquisition proposal from Sony (6758 JT) as intensifying competition in China threatens its growth outlook despite strong capital efficiency. (Nikkei) Logistics - Japan Railways Group unit JR Freight is targeting Thailand’s freight market with scheduled rail cargo services as it seeks to offer an alternative to the country’s truck-dominated logistics network. (Nikkei) Other News BoJ plans to raise rates by 25bps to 1.25% at the September 18 meeting. (Kyodo) Japan cabinet reshuffle is set for September 17th. (Asahi) SOUTH KOREA Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) - Co. won a KRW 680bln contract to build a frigate for the Royal Thai Navy, with the potential for the contract size to expand to around KRW 4trln if follow-up orders are secured. (Yonhap) Kia (000270 KS) - Co. is seeking to expand further into the global commercial vehicle market by industrialising vehicle customisation, focusing on flexible manufacturing and integrated conversion capabilities. (Yonhap) POSCO Holdings (005490 KS) - Co.’s steelmaking unit POSCO faces a two-day partial strike by unionised workers after wage and compensation negotiations with management failed to narrow differences. (Yonhap) Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Co. opened an AI chip R&D hub in Yokohama to collaborate with Japanese companies on advanced semiconductor packaging; separately, the Co. led Mistral AI’s Series D funding round and took an equity stake, with plans to integrate Mistral AI across its semiconductor operations, while Samsung Display is reportedly set to significantly increase 2027 supply volumes focused on foldable phones and iPads. (Nikkei/Newswires) Samsung SDS (018260 KS) - Co. plans to expand cooperation with global AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic as it seeks to accelerate AI transformation across businesses and work processes. (Yonhap) Tech - South Korea’s science ministry plans to invest KRW 4.7trln in a project to develop a homegrown AI model intended to compete with global frontier models. (Yonhap) Other News US is pressing South Korea to commit investment beyond the USD 350bln initially pledged as part of the bilateral tariff agreement, according to a lawmaker citing a trade ministry report. (Yonhap)