Volkswagen reiterated its 4%-5.5% group operating profit guidance corridor for 2026, a positive note amid sector gloom. The 2Q operating margin of 4.2% fell short of the 4.7% consensus but matched Bernstein’s view, while cash flow exceeded expectations yet aligned with Bernstein’s forecast. Management is balancing investor reassurance with workforce warnings of inevitable capacity cuts and plant closures, a delicate balance reflected in the bank’s market‑perform rating.

Am Investment Bank projects a 12% three‑year earnings CAGR for MISC, driven by strong tanker rates, LNG carrier contributions, and offshore pipeline growth. Operating cash flow is expected at 5.0‑5.2b ringgit, supporting a sustainable dividend yield of around 5%. The firm maintains a buy rating and a target price of 9.50 ringgit, even as shares trade near 7.95.

Westports Holdings enjoys a positive outlook, buoyed by resilient volume growth from FDI and intra‑Asia trade, and tariff‑driven earnings expansion. Maybank analyst Loh Yan Jin raises earnings forecasts for 2026‑2028 by 15‑22% after a 1H beat, while noting a potential 10‑30% rise in expansion costs amid higher raw material prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Westports’ target price is lifted to 7.66 ringgit.

Overall, the market talks underscore cautious optimism across the auto and transport sector, with analysts highlighting both opportunities and risks.