South Korea’s KOSPI surged 3.05% at the open on Thursday, as Alphabet’s stronger-than-expected AI-driven cloud results and higher capex outlook reinforced expectations for faster global AI infrastructure spending. Tech heavyweights including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the gains. Oil prices rose as Middle East tensions escalated after the United States carried out its 12th strike on Iran, but the tech-led market theme in Seoul remained intact. The won strengthened by 4.2 won against the dollar.

Karoon Energy (ASX: KAR) reported Q2 FY26 revenue of US$116.4 million after producing 1.08 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company said Baúna’s realised oil price rose 33% year on year to US$94.56/bbl, while Who Dat liquids climbed 55%. Baúna FPSO operating efficiency reached 97%, above its target range, and production returned to around 22,000 barrels per day after the FPSO operatorship transition in May. Karoon bought back 2.8 million shares during the quarter and said it expects free cash flow to increase significantly in the second half of 2026.

Genomma Lab Internacional (BMV: LAB B) reported second-quarter 2026 results with net income up 5.5% year over year and gross margin expanding 106 basis points to 64.6%. EBITDA margin was 21.8%, in line with the company’s expectations. Consolidated like-for-like sales fell 3.6%, though monitored retailer sellout in Mexico turned positive in the first two weeks of July, the company said.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories reported a weaker-than-expected June-quarter performance, weighed down by a ₹240 crore provision tied to a Semaglutide API issue and a 35% drop in North America revenue to ₹2,204.8 crore. Its US-listed ADRs fell 10%, while the stock ended 2% lower in India at ₹1,182.8. Motilal Oswal maintained a “neutral” rating but cut its price target to ₹1,125, implying 5% downside from Wednesday’s close. The company said it is working to identify the root cause of the Semaglutide issue and does not expect further provisions.

Frasers Group has extended the closing date for its on-market takeover offer for Australia-listed Accent Group (ASX: AX1) to 30 September 2026, with the offer price and other terms unchanged. The bid remains an on-market offer and Accent Group shares continue to trade on the ASX as normal. Over the past 12 months, AX1 shares have fallen 51%, underperforming the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index. The extension gives shareholders more time to decide but does not alter the substance of the proposal.

New Zealand renewable generator Mercury has acquired a 12.7% stake in Datagrid NZ for NZD 53 million and signed a 15-year, 140MW green power purchase option agreement. The planned 360MW AI data centre campus at North Makarewa in Southland has secured resource consent, with a final investment decision expected later this year. The project is positioned as New Zealand’s first “AI factory” focused on AI and sovereign cloud.

Santos (ASX: STO) reported Q2 FY2026 sales revenue of A$1,349 million, up 6% quarter on quarter, as production rose 3% to 23.1 million barrels of oil equivalent. Realised LNG pricing increased to $11.21 per mmBtu. Barossa reached 97% of planned production rates and Pikka Phase 1 brought its first oil wells online. The company narrowed full-year production guidance to 99–105 mmboe and said free cash flow is expected to improve markedly in H2.

PolyNovo (ASX: PNV) reported FY26 group revenue of A$150 million, up 16.1% year on year. Free cash flow swung to A$10.4 million from -A$10.1 million, while NovoSorb MTX commercial sales rose 89.6%. The company ended the year with A$35.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and said its new manufacturing facility has been completed.