Daifuku Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6383), the Osaka-based world leader in automated material-handling systems — spanning automated storage and retrieval warehouses, conveyor lines, airport baggage-handling, and cleanroom logistics for semiconductor and flat-panel plants — reported consolidated results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (the three months ended March 31, 2026) on May 14, 2026. Under Japanese GAAP, net sales rose 7.8% year-on-year to ¥172,710 million, operating profit advanced 13.2% to ¥26,291 million, ordinary profit grew 12.0% to ¥26,514 million, and net profit attributable to owners of the parent climbed 15.6% to ¥19,498 million from ¥16,862 million a year earlier. Basic earnings per share rose to ¥53.03 from ¥45.86, with diluted EPS of ¥50.54.
The double-digit profit growth outpaced the sales gain, lifting the operating margin to 15.2% from 14.5% a year earlier, as the company converted a healthy order book into deliveries across its global logistics-systems franchise. Comprehensive income surged to ¥22,976 million from ¥6,119 million — a 275.5% jump — reflecting favourable currency-translation and securities-valuation swings on top of the higher underlying earnings.
Balance sheet remains solid; equity ratio rises to 61.7%
Total assets stood at ¥743,144 million at the quarter-end, down modestly from ¥754,211 million at the prior year-end, while net assets rose to ¥458,338 million from ¥451,560 million. The equity ratio strengthened to 61.7% from 59.9%, underscoring Daifuku's conservatively financed balance sheet and its capacity to fund large, long-lead-time systems projects from internal resources. Shareholders' equity reached ¥458,324 million.
Full-year guidance reaffirmed despite softer first-half outlook
Daifuku maintained its full-year FY2026 (January–December 2026) forecast for net sales of ¥700,000 million (+5.9%), operating profit of ¥105,000 million (+4.2%), ordinary profit of ¥108,500 million (+3.7%), and net profit of ¥80,000 million (+2.4%), equivalent to full-year EPS of ¥217.57. The first-quarter result represents a strong start against that plan, with operating profit already at one-quarter of the annual target. For the first half, however, management guides to net sales of ¥330,000 million (+1.1%) and operating profit of ¥48,000 million (−6.1%), reflecting the lumpy, project-driven phasing of large system deliveries rather than a deterioration in underlying demand.
Annual dividend lifted to ¥82 per share
Daifuku plans an annual dividend of ¥82.00 per share for FY2026 — a ¥36.00 interim payment plus a ¥46.00 year-end payment — up from ¥78.00 in FY2025. The increase continues the company's progressive shareholder-return policy, supported by the higher earnings base and a robust capital position. Daifuku noted that it changed its fiscal year-end from March 31 to December 31 from the FY2024 period; year-on-year comparisons reflect the current January-to-December reporting calendar.
| Metric | Q1 FY2026 | Q1 FY2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales (¥ million) | 172,710 | 160,256 | +7.8% |
| Operating profit (¥ million) | 26,291 | 23,226 | +13.2% |
| Ordinary profit (¥ million) | 26,514 | 23,676 | +12.0% |
| Net profit (¥ million) | 19,498 | 16,862 | +15.6% |
| Basic EPS (¥) | 53.03 | 45.86 | +15.6% |
| Diluted EPS (¥) | 50.54 | 43.73 | +15.6% |
| Operating margin | 15.2% | 14.5% | +0.7pp |
| Comprehensive income (¥ million) | 22,976 | 6,119 | +275.5% |
| Total assets (¥ million) | 743,144 | 754,211 | −1.5% |
| Net assets (¥ million) | 458,338 | 451,560 | +1.5% |
| Equity ratio | 61.7% | 59.9% | +1.8pp |
| FY2026 guidance — net sales (¥ million) | 700,000 | — | +5.9% |
| FY2026 guidance — operating profit (¥ million) | 105,000 | — | +4.2% |
| FY2026 guidance — net profit (¥ million) | 80,000 | — | +2.4% |
| FY2026 guidance — EPS (¥) | 217.57 | — | — |
| Annual dividend (¥) | 82.00 | 78.00 | +5.1% |
JapanStockPulse provides informational content only and does not constitute investment advice. Figures are taken from the company's published earnings short report and may be subject to subsequent revision.