Hang Seng Index opened down 0.33% and the Hang Seng Tech Index opened down 0.28%. Chow Sang Sang (00116.HK) jumped about 11% at the open after saying it expects interim attributable profit of HKD 2.1–2.2 bln.

Paramount-Skydance on Monday asked a U.S. judge to require about a dozen states suing to block its $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.O) to post a $1.88bn bond to cover costs from the delayed close. The company says it would incur $7m of delay costs per day if the merger fails to close by Sept. 30. The states’ challenges are expected to be tried in March; Paramount-Skydance warned that by the time trial concludes and final briefs are filed it will have paid $1.3bn in non-recoverable ticking fees to WBD shareholders.

BofA Securities says Zijin Gold International (02259.HK) reported 1H net profit of US$1.45bn, slightly above its prior guidance of about US$1.4bn, and declared an interim dividend for the first time. The firm raised its PT from HK$140 to HK$150 and reiterated a Buy rating. It lifted its full-year net profit forecast by 3% to US$3.1bn, citing lower unit cost assumptions based on year-to-date performance.