Bandai Namco Holdings said on the 10th that it now expects ¥226 billion in operating profit for the year to March 2027, up from its previous ¥185 billion forecast, after first-half results beat its projections.
For the cumulative first half, covering April to September, the company reported sales of ¥728.47 billion and operating profit of ¥134.317 billion. Both figures came in above its earlier forecasts.
The group raised its full-year consolidated forecast across the board. It now projects sales of ¥1.48 trillion and ordinary profit of ¥237 billion, with net profit of ¥162 billion.
Against the previous forecast, that is a 9.6% increase in sales, 22.2% in operating profit, 24.7% in ordinary profit and 24.6% in net profit.
Toys and hobby drive the gain
Bandai Namco attributed the outperformance to its IP Axis Strategy, which aims to maximize the value of its characters by putting the right products and services in the right regions at the right time. The strategy runs across its business units working together.
Toys and hobby led earnings, performing strongly across categories in Japan and overseas. Digital, video and music, and amusement also beat their projected figures.
Products and services for established properties such as the Gundam series "demonstrated a powerful presence," the company said. A portfolio spanning a wide range of categories and characters lifted group results.
For the full-year revision, the company cited the strong first-half run along with current market conditions, trends in each business, and the timing of product and service rollouts and marketing plans from the third quarter onward.