The latest Market Talks covering the Auto and Transport sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

1404 ET - August saw the average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. move back above $50,000, to $50,089, according to Kelley Blue Book. It was the first time the ATP topped $50,000 since December. Prices were influenced by a richer mix of midsize SUV sales and higher prices for subcompact SUVs and compact cars, Kelley says. August also saw the ATP for electric vehicles decline to $54,813, 1.2% lower from the prior month and down 2.7% from August 2025. (stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com)

1001 ET - The U.K. aviation system has stabilized significantly, analytics company Cirium says, after an outage at the country's air-traffic-control systems grounded hundreds of flights earlier in the week. Of the 3,028 flight arrivals scheduled at U.K. airports on Thursday, 54 have been canceled or aren't operating, according to Cirium. For departures, 47 flights out of a total of 3,033 are affected, Cirium says. This is slightly higher than on a normal day, the aviation-analytics firm says. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

0926 ET - Kongsberg Gruppen is becoming a full-spectrum missile-led defense prime contractor, with favorable geographic diversification, Deutsche Bank analyst Sriram Krishnan writes. Rapid capacity expansion and an all-time-high backlog could help the company become one of Europe's fastest-growing and most profitable defense companies, Krishnan says. Meanwhile, margin upside remains relative to conservative management targets, he adds. The bank says the missile business should see around 40% compound annual growth to 2030 to become the group's largest business. This is complemented by 30% compound annual growth for high-margin air defense and remote weapon stations, and 12% growth for the high-tech underwater and space businesses. The bank initiates coverage of the stock with a buy rating and target price of 360 Norwegian kroner. Shares rise 2.5% to 306.80 kroner. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)

0631 ET - Oil prices extend gains, with Brent crude pushing past $100 a barrel as fresh clashes between the U.S. and Iran deepen concerns over supply disruptions and the impact of a prolonged war on the broader economy. Brent crude rise 0.8% to $102 a barrel, while WTI futures are up 1.4% to $97.38 a barrel. Traders now await the release of weekly inventory data from the Energy Information Administration later on Thursday, with a particular focus on distillate stock changes given the current tightness in global diesel markets. OPEC and the IEA will also release their monthly oil reports this week. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0354 ET - Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has strengthened the case for Adnoc Gas to have export capacity on the east coast but who pays for it will be key, Barclays analyst Ramachandra Kamath writes. The U.A.E government is considering options to de-risk its reliance on the waterway, he adds. The key question for Adnoc Gas investors is ownership versus usage, according to Kamath. The plant would require substantial investment and has limited use under normal circumstances, he says. Adnoc Group could build the asset and then transfer it over to Adnoc Gas, like the group has done before, he says. This would avoid burdening Adnoc Gas's balance sheet or dilute the midteen project returns that management targets, he says. (adam.whittaker@wsj.com)

0303 ET - Oil prices slip in early trading after Brent crude breached $100 a barrel, as escalating attacks between the U.S. and Iran threaten to dramatically prolong disruptions to energy flows in the Middle East. The global oil benchmark is down 0.8% to $100.42 a barrel, while WTI futures tick 0.6% lower to $95.50 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled more than 3% higher in the previous session. China's buying behavior will be a key factor to monitor to determine whether this oil rally can last, according to market watchers. "China, through much of the war, has helped to rebalance the market through lower crude oil imports," ING analysts say. But Beijing has now increased activity in the physical market, particularly in the North Sea, with crude oil imports still below a year ago but on the path to recovery from June lows. (giulia.petroni@wsj.com)

0006 ET - Korean Air's 3Q operating profit is expected to rebound sharply on strong peak-season passenger demand and improving cargo performance, Mirae Asset Securities analyst Jay JH Ryu says in a note. The brokerage forecasts operating profit of 488.7 billion won, up 210.2% on year, with international passenger traffic and yields expected to rise 8.3% and 9.1%, respectively. A stronger won should also help lower fuel, lease and interest expenses. The expected December merger with Asiana Airlines will generate synergies from 4Q, thereby supporting Korean Air's earnings. Mirae maintains its buy rating and raises its target price to 37,000 won from 33,000 won. Shares are down 1.7% at 29,300 won. (venkat.pr@wsj.com)

0004 ET - Upstream development spending in Malaysia's oil and gas sector could accelerate as higher oil prices improve project economics, says CIMB Securities analyst Muhammad Afif Bin Zulkaplly in a note. Maintenance activity could also pick up as operators gain greater cash-flow visibility to resume deferred work, he says. Industry discussions at a recent Malaysia oil & gas services exhibition and conference highlighted opportunities to improve project efficiency through collaboration, performance-based contracts and overseas expansion, he notes. Companies with strong execution records and financial positions are expected to be better placed to benefit, he says. CIMB maintains an overweight rating on the oil and gas sector, and rates Dayang Enterprise, Dialog, MISC and Velesto Energy at buy. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)

2245 ET - Hanwha Ocean's earnings could be pressured by a stronger won, says Eon Hwang at Nomura. The analyst cuts his operating-profit forecasts for the South Korean shipbuilder by 9.3% for 2026, 13.5% for 2027 and 11.5% for 2028, citing the won's appreciation against the dollar. Hwang expects Hanwha's new shipbuilding contracts to rise about 47% to $14.7 billion this year. A decline in new containership orders is likely to be offset by an increase in new LNG vessel orders, he says. Meaningful new orders from the U.S. Navy are unlikely, given congressional opposition to constructing naval ships overseas. Nomura cuts its target price for Hanwha to 56,000 won from 63,000 won and maintains a reduce rating on the stock. Shares are last 3.8% lower at 84,800 won.(kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)

2214 ET - The Johor Bahru-Singapore rapid transit system link will likley drive another construction boom in the Malaysian city, with its planned opening in late 2026 or early 2027 set to transform Bukit Chagar into a major transport hub, Maybank IB analyst Yin Shao Yang says in a note. Nearby developments valued at more than 11 billion ringgit could benefit from stronger pedestrian traffic, cross-border commuting, retail spending and property demand, he says. Sunway Construction likely a key beneficiary, with a possible 1.0 billion ringgit contract from a MRT Corp joint venture potentially adding about 60 million ringgit to net profit. The proposed 10 billion ringgit Johor elevated transit network could further boost construction across Greater Johor Bahru when completed in 2030-2031, he adds. Maybank maintains its positive rating on Malaysia's construction sector.