New Hope Corporation declared a fully franked 30c per share final dividend, exceeding expectations, supported by strong operations and a year-end cash balance of A$485m. Telix Pharmaceuticals announced a scrip-based merger with Germany’s privately owned ITM Group, with consideration of up to US$2.35bn. REA Group also drew a fresh analyst rating.

Australia’s unemployment rate rose unexpectedly to 4.6% in August, above forecasts of 4.5%. Full-time employment fell by 6,000, while the participation rate increased to 67.1%. The figures were released ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest-rate decision next week. RBA Governor Michele Bullock has said unemployment would need to rise into a 4.5% to 5% range to help ease inflation pressure.

Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in August from 4.5% in July, marking its highest level in the post-COVID period. The participation rate climbed to 67.1%, near the record high. RBA governor Michele Bullock has said an unemployment rate between 4.5% and 5% would help cool the labour market and ease inflation pressures. Some economists say the increase in unemployment is not enough to stop the central bank raising rates next week.

TC Energy shares have fallen 14.4% over the past three months, lifting the dividend yield to nearly 4.2%. The company announced a $560 million sale of its Guadalajara-Manzanillo Pipeline in Mexico, with the deal expected to close in the first half of 2027. After the sale, TC Energy will still operate a 3,300-kilometer pipeline network in Mexico that transports nearly 8.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

GeoPark said it has obtained the required consents from holders of its 8.750% senior notes due 2030 and expects to pay a consent fee on September 29, 2026. The company plans to pay $2.50 per $1,000 principal amount to eligible holders who submitted consents before the expiration time. Separately, GeoPark is acquiring Grupo Gilinski’s 95% stake in the holding company for the Bare field opportunity in exchange for newly issued shares, after Grupo Gilinski-affiliated entities recently bought about 28% of GeoPark’s outstanding common shares.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 down 0.75% at 7706, the Nasdaq down 1.13% at 26936 and the Dow off 0.68% at 51511. Oil prices climbed nearly 4% as Iran’s president told the United Nations that Tehran would never surrender to U.S. pressure. Energy shares rose against the broader decline, while higher Treasury yields weighed on technology stocks, with Alphabet and Amazon among the biggest drags, according to the report.

McDonald’s said Wednesday it will invest $8.5 billion over the next decade to modernize restaurants worldwide and roll out higher-protein items such as a grilled chicken sandwich and wraps. The company also plans to automate more tasks, including inventory and scheduling, to improve kitchen efficiency. With fast-food traffic flattening, CEO Chris Kempczinski said growth will depend on taking share from rivals and boosting productivity. McDonald’s shares fell nearly 5% on Wednesday, marking their biggest one-day drop since April 2025.

South Bow generated US$175 million in second-quarter distributable cash flow and paid US$104 million in dividends, implying a payout ratio of about 59%. After stronger-than-expected first-half results, management raised its 2026 distributable cash flow guidance to roughly US$665 million. Based on the current dividend, that would translate to a full-year payout ratio of about 63%. The stock’s dividend yield is roughly 5.8%, with cash flow coverage described as ample.