Gift Holdings (9279) Q1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Net sales for the three months ended January 31, 2026, rose 25.1% year-over-year to ¥10,642 million, with operating profit up 85.2% to ¥1,434 million, driven by strong existing-store sales, easing food cost inflation, improved manufacturing efficiency, and robust inbound demand.

• Gross profit margin improved due to better cost control and manufacturing efficiency, resulting in the highest operating profit margin since the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Profit attributable to owners of parent increased 75.6% year-over-year to ¥960 million.

• The company revised its full-year forecast upward, reflecting strong Q1 performance and expects further improvement in subsequent quarters.

• The Group operates primarily in the food and beverage sector, focusing on ramen brands and expanding both domestically and internationally.

Financial highlights

• Operating profit margin reached 13.5% (annual goal: 10.0%), and net sales per labor hour increased to ¥7,192 (from ¥6,566 year-over-year).

• Gross profit increased to ¥7,200 million from ¥5,643 million year-over-year, with gross margin improvement.

• Basic earnings per share increased to ¥47.99 from ¥27.40 year-over-year.

• Total assets grew to ¥22,824 million, and net assets to ¥11,181 million, with an equity-to-asset ratio of 48.8%.

• Labor cost rate decreased to 25.5% (from 26.7% year-over-year).

Outlook and guidance

• Full-year net sales forecast revised upward to ¥43,000 million, operating profit to ¥4,400 million, and profit attributable to owners of parent to ¥2,610 million.

• Dividend forecast for FYE October 2026 is ¥26.0 per share, with a target payout ratio of 20% or higher.

• Store deployment plan targets a net increase of 118 stores year-on-year, aiming for 1,019 stores by October 2026.