Märkte: Nikkei fällt um drei Prozent – Ölpreise belasten

Tokyo - Fears of increased U.S. interest rates and a surge in oil prices sent Japan's stock market sliding on Friday. The key Nikkei index dropped by three percent, settling at 63,244 points. The broader Topix fell by 1.95 percent to 3,976. Concerns over supply chain disruptions due to attacks on vital shipping routes in the Middle East fueled the fear of a potential shortage, driving up oil prices.

Brent crude, a North Sea blend, rose by one percent to $108.68 a barrel, while U.S. Light oil (WTI) increased by the same margin to $103.45. Both prices marked a weekly gain of nearly 13 percent, breaking the $100 per barrel threshold for the first time since mid-May. The situation worsened due to increased attacks on shipping lanes, with the Iran-aligned Houthis taking control of the Yemeni port of Mocha on Thursday, threatening Red Sea trade.

Additionally, attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz intensified. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to attack the Iranian facility "Pickaxe" near the damaged Natanz uranium enrichment plant, hinting at a post-November war. Wall Street's indicators, including rising bond yields and August production costs, also contributed to market anxiety.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh alluded to a potential interest rate hike, signaling a shift in focus towards inflation control. Geopolitical tensions surrounding the U.S.-Iran standoff further weighed on energy markets. Market analysts Takuma Ikemoto noted that the top three U.S. indices were falling in response to higher oil prices and increased long-term U.S. interest rates, which would likely impact Japanese shares.

Of the 201 stocks in the Nikkei, 23 closed lower compared to the 23 that gained, with Resonac Holdings losing 8.12 percent, followed by Kioxia Holdings (-7.1 percent) and Sumco (-6.8 percent). Inpex led the gainers with a two percent increase.