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Japanese Stocks Fall as Oil Spikes, Fuelling Inflation Worries

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Japanese stocks fell on Friday following a spike in oil prices, raising investor concerns over growing inflation risks ahead of US inflation data, which could reflect the Federal Reserve's rate-hike outlook.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed down 1,259.61 points, or 1.93%, at 64,011.34.

Oil prices hit a four-month high of $109.7 a barrel as supplies remained restricted through the Strait of Hormuz following an escalation in the Middle East, with the US-Iran conflict widening and Iran-backed Houthis choking key energy supply routes in the Red ​Sea.

On the corporate side, Toho's (TYO:8142) sales revenue in August increased 7.9% year on year to 24.02 billion yen, according to a Friday filing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Also, Diageo's East African unit secured approval from the Kenyan antitrust authority to sell its 65% stake in East African Breweries to Asahi Group Holdings (TYO:2502) in a $2.3 billion deal, according to reports.

What else is happening in Asia?

Asia

Hearts and Minds Investments Posts Lower August Net Tangible Asset

Hearts and Minds Investments (ASX:HM1) reported post-tax net tangible asset of AU$3.34 per share as of Aug. 31, according to a Friday filing with the Australian bourse.The company recorded post-tax net tangible assets of AU$3.56 per share for August 2025, an earlier filing showed.Its portfolio was up 0.6% for the month of August and delivered an annualized pre-tax investment return of over 10% per year since inception.The portfolio offered a fully franked annualized dividend yield of about 6.5% as of Aug. 31, the filing said.The company's shares added nearly 1% in recent Friday trade.

ASX:HM1
Asia

Cape EMS Partners with Helios PV to Distribute Battery Systems in Europe

Cape EMS (KLSE:CEB) subsidiary, Cape Renewables, signed a distribution and strategic collaboration agreement with Helios PV (Asia Pacific), to commercialize and distribute residential battery energy storage systems across Europe and the Asia-Pacific.The electronics manufacturer's unit will handle sourcing, system integration, assembly and testing, according to a Thursday Bursa Malaysia filing.Meanwhile, Helios, which is a unit of Frankfurt-listed Helios Solar AG, will handle market development, importation and distribution.

KLSE:CEB
Asia

White Energy Company Confirms Acquisition of Essential Global Resources, Oceltip Coal 2 Completed; Shares Fall 5%

White Energy Company (ASX:WEC) confirmed the completion of the acquisition of Essential Global Resources and Oceltip Coal 2, which has acquired the Tin Hut Creek project and associated assets, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.White Energy issued 83.3 million fully paid ordinary shares to the shareholders of Essential Global as consideration for the acquisition of the membership interests in Essential Global. In connection with the Oceltip Coal 2 acquisition, the purchase price was AU$4.5 million, as adjusted for debts and other liabilities at completion.It also completed a placement to institutional and professional investors to raise AU$15 million at an issue price of AU$0.06 per share.Nathan Tinkler was appointed as Managing Director and Executive Chair of White Energy, succeeding Brian Flannery as Chairman.Its shares fell 5% in recent trading on Friday.

ASX:WEC