AOKI Holdings operating profit augments 19.4% for FY'14

14 May '14

3 min read

AOKI Holdings Inc. announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2014, the Japanese economy recovered on a gradual path as corporate profits increased and there were improvements in employment and personal consumption. These improvements were the result of the yen’s depreciation, higher share prices and other factors associated with economic stimulus programs and monetary measures.

In this environment, the AOKI Group implemented various measures in each business segment. Sales and profits rose to new record highs at each level for three consecutive fiscal years.

Business performance in the fiscal year:

-Sales increased to 179,443 million yen (up 11.7% year-on-year)

-Operating profit increased to 20,390 million yen (up 19.4% year-on-year)

-Ordinary income was on rise at 20,865 million yen (up 18.6% year-on-year)

-Net income also boosts to 10,684 million yen (up 8.7% year-on-year)

The Company considers returning profits to shareholders to be an important management theme, and our basic policy is to maintain stable dividends while taking into consideration factors such as future business development, financial structure strengthening, and the payout ratio.

The Board of Directors, at a meeting held on May 9, 2014, approved a year-end dividend of 18 yen per share in light of the results of operations for the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2014 and the Company's basic policy regarding dividends. There was a two-for-one stock split on January 1, 2014. Dividend payments prior to the adjustment for this split were 30 yen per share for the interim dividend and the planned 36 yen per share for the year-end dividend. This results in an annual dividend of 66 yen per share.

For dividends applicable to the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2015, we plan to pay interim and year-end dividends of 18 yen each for a total of 36 yen per share. This outlook is based on the target of maintaining a 30% consolidated payout ratio in accordance with the policy of maintaining a stable dividend and on the outlook for results of operations.

In the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2015, the Japanese economy is expected to recover slowly as corporate profits and employment improve. But there are still concerns about the outlook for personal consumption because of higher costs, uncertain income situations and the possibility of slower economic growth following the April 2014 consumption tax hike.

The AOKI Group will take a variety of actions in response to diversifying consumer needs associated with the changing times. In addition, businesses will be operated with flexibility and efficiencyand the AOKI Group plans to open more than 100 locations. By taking these actions, we aim to become more profitable.

AOKI Holdings

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