Japanese equities started Friday's session in the red, following a tech-led slump on U.S. markets that weighed heavily on semiconductor stocks.
The Nikkei 225 dropped 0.7% at the opening bell, shedding nearly 496 points to land at 66,339.85.
Meanwhile, oil prices ticked upward with Brent crude reaching nearly $85 per barrel, driven by mounting tensions in the Middle East and a noticeable decline in vessel movements through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Coles Group (ASX:COL) lodged an appeal against the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) decision to block its proposed purchase of a supermarket and liquor site in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian Competition Tribunal.Following a phase two review, the ACCC said the acquisition might materially harm competition in the retail groceries space and likely lead to the exit of an independent full-line competitor from Kalgoorlie.In its appeal, Coles said the regulator's decision was not "objectively correct or preferable."The company's shares were down nearly 1% in recent Thursday trade.
Semiconductor company Unisplendour (SHE:000938) said it will dilute its stake in subsidiary Unisplendour Computer Technology amid a 440-million-yuan capital increase.Unisplendour will waive its pre-emptive subscription rights, reducing its stake to 29.42% from 51%, with the subsidiary exiting consolidation, according to a Thursday filing with the Shenzhen bourse.One of the five investors of the capital increase, Haichen Huicai, will acquire a 12% stake in Unisplendour Computer Technology from five existing shareholders before the implementation of the capital increase.Shares of Unisplendour jumped 9% in recent trade.
WW Holdings' (TPE:8442) subsidiary, Global Worth Investment, will increase the capital of its unit, TWT Leather (Cambodia), by $2 million, bringing its total investment to $5 million, according to a Wednesday Taiwan bourse filing.The investment will be made in phases and funded through the company's funds and financial institutions.The capital increase is aimed at strengthening the unit's operating scale and expanding its production base.