MARKETS

Australian shares recovered on Friday as technology and energy stocks advanced, while easing bond yields helped stabilise markets after the ASX 200's sharp Thursday decline.

Cognizant shares rose nearly 8% after Accenture reported strong earnings and bookings, easing concerns that generative AI could weaken demand for traditional IT services.

Accenture shares surged after the company exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reported strong bookings and issued an outlook that eased concerns about artificial intelligence disruption.

Corteva shares fell about 83% after the company completed the spinoff of its seed business, Vylor. Shareholders received Vylor stock, while Corteva continues as a crop protection company.

The Dow fell in early trading as Treasury yields reached their highest levels in more than two decades and oil prices rose, offsetting gains in technology stocks.

MercadoLibre shares rose in Frankfurt after a weak September, while investors continue to assess the Latin American e-commerce giant's rapid growth, margin pressure, debt and competition.

Shares in China's CXMT eased after a strong rally as investors weighed a reported $5.2 billion expansion, new G5 DRAM production and geopolitical risks.

Data#3 shares surged nearly 14% after the IT services provider forecast first-half pre-tax profit above A$46.9 million, exceeding analysts' estimates despite a broad ASX sell-off.

Australian shares fell nearly 2% to a four-month low as rising bond yields, elevated oil prices and a late Wall Street sell-off weighed on investor sentiment.

Gen Digital shares rose nearly 7% after a steep sell-off linked to reports of a preliminary GoDaddy takeover approach, as the company reassured investors about its strategy and outlook.

ImmunityBio shares rose more than 11% as investors weighed accelerating Anktiva sales, international expansion, regulatory milestones and the FDA's planned January 2027 decision on broader use.

US stocks opened higher after cooler-than-expected inflation and stronger private payrolls reduced expectations of an October Federal Reserve rate hike, while oil prices and Treasury yields remained volatile.

Charter Hall shares rose 6.4% as falling bond yields and dovish RBA signals sparked a broad rebound in Australian property stocks, despite persistent sector risks.

McDonald's shares edged higher after reaching a new 52-week low, as investor concerns over value, slowing traffic, rising yields and costly strategic plans weigh on the stock.

Carnival reported record third-quarter revenue and profit, exceeded Wall Street expectations and raised its 2026 outlook despite higher fuel costs, sending cruise stocks sharply higher.

Iovance Biotherapeutics shares rose more than 20% after the company raised its 2026 revenue forecast, citing accelerating demand for its melanoma therapy Amtagvi.

SM Entertainment shares rose 1.82% to 83,800 won, recovering modestly after a sharp annual decline as investors considered recent earnings, strategic partnerships and upcoming results.

HYBE shares fell 1.98% to 158,700 won, remaining near a one-year low despite strong second-quarter results and BTS's return, as investors questioned margins and K-pop growth.

Perenti shares rose 8.8% after the mining services company announced more than A$200 million in drilling and underground mining contracts across three regions.

South Korean shares declined for a second session as foreign investors sold heavily, US Treasury yields and oil prices rose, and technology stocks faced renewed pressure.

Megaport shares climbed 9.4% after the company announced A$978.6 million in new AI infrastructure contracts and upgraded its FY27 revenue and EBITDA margin guidance.

Codan shares reached a record high after the company raised its profit outlook, citing exceptionally strong communications demand from conflict regions and continued growth in gold detectors.

Nvidia's board approved a record US$150 billion increase to its share buyback programme, as the AI boom boosts the chipmaker's cash flow and investor returns.

MongoDB shares fell nearly 20% after CEO CJ Desai left immediately to join Meta. Former chief executive Dev Ittycheria was appointed interim CEO as the company reaffirmed its guidance.

Intel shares fell 5.6% on Monday after a sharp rally, as selling across AI-linked chip stocks, profit-taking, higher oil prices and rising bond yields pressured the sector.

Nvidia shares rose as the chipmaker announced a record $150 billion increase to its buyback authorisation and launched an open platform aimed at improving AI agent safety.

GameStop shares rose as investors weighed insider buying and Ryan Cohen's continued pursuit of eBay, despite the target's rejection and broader market weakness.

Twenty One Capital shares rose despite a weaker broader market, extending their recovery from August lows as investors weigh bitcoin prices, leadership changes and the company's unproven operating strategy.

US stocks opened lower as higher oil prices and Treasury yields intensified inflation concerns, while OpenAI's pause on advanced model training pressured chipmakers and technology shares.