Ebara Foods Industry, Inc. (TSE: 2819), the Yokohama-based maker of yakiniku sauces, marinades, and other Japanese condiments, reported consolidated results for FY2026 (year ended March 31, 2026) under Japanese GAAP. Revenue grew 4.3% year-on-year to ¥50,005 million, crossing the ¥50bn threshold for the first time and building on the prior year's 6.1% advance. Price realisation and volume growth in core sauce categories supported the top line. However, cost pressures more than eroded the revenue gain at the profit line: operating profit dropped 15.4% to ¥2,031 million from ¥2,404 million, and ordinary profit fell 19.6% to ¥2,113 million from ¥2,676 million. The operating margin contracted to 4.1% from 5.0% the prior year.
Despite the operating-level decline, profit attributable to owners of the parent rose 27.4% to ¥1,783 million (versus ¥1,399 million in FY2025), aided by favourable non-operating and extraordinary items that more than offset the lower operating result. EPS accordingly improved to ¥182.68 from ¥143.27. Comprehensive income increased 25.1% to ¥2,378 million. Return on equity rose to 5.1% from 4.2%, while the return on total assets (ordinary profit basis) stood at 4.4% versus 5.9% in the prior year.
Balance sheet remains conservative; equity ratio at 71%
Total consolidated assets expanded to ¥50,793 million at March 31, 2026, up from ¥47,372 million a year earlier, driven partly by capital expenditure and working capital growth. Net assets rose to ¥36,056 million from ¥34,217 million. The equity ratio stood at a conservative 71.0% (versus 72.2%), and book value per share increased to ¥3,702.24 from ¥3,501.41. Cash and cash equivalents at the fiscal year-end amounted to ¥16,148 million, up from ¥14,992 million, underpinned by operating cash flow of ¥4,028 million (versus ¥4,533 million in FY2025). Capital expenditure drew investing cash outflows of ¥3,343 million, and financing activities (mainly dividends and share repurchases) consumed ¥645 million.
Dividend raised to ¥47; FY2027 guidance flags a steep profit reset
Despite the operating-profit decline, Ebara Foods raised the annual dividend to ¥47 per share for FY2026 (¥22 interim + ¥25 year-end), up from ¥45 the prior year, reflecting management's confidence in the long-run earnings trajectory. The consolidated payout ratio was 25.7%. For FY2027, the company guides a further dividend increase to ¥50 per share (¥25 interim + ¥25 year-end).
The FY2027 (ending March 2027) outlook is cautious: consolidated revenue is guided at ¥50,200 million (+0.4%), operating profit at ¥1,500 million (−37.6%), ordinary profit at ¥1,700 million (−36.5%), and net profit at ¥1,000 million (−43.9%), implying EPS of ¥102.68. The guidance implies continuing cost pressure and possibly front-loaded investment spending weighing on profitability. No significant changes in the scope of consolidation, accounting policies, or estimates were noted for the period. The annual general shareholders' meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2026, and the year-end dividend is payable from June 8, 2026.
| Metric | FY2026 | FY2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue (¥ million) | 50,005 | 47,963 | +4.3% |
| Operating profit (¥ million) | 2,031 | 2,404 | −15.4% |
| Ordinary profit (¥ million) | 2,113 | 2,676 | −19.6% |
| Net profit attrib. to owners (¥ million) | 1,783 | 1,399 | +27.4% |
| EPS (¥) | 182.68 | 143.27 | +27.5% |
| Operating margin | 4.1% | 5.0% | −0.9pp |
| ROE | 5.1% | 4.2% | +0.9pp |
| Total assets (¥ million) | 50,793 | 47,372 | +7.2% |
| Equity ratio | 71.0% | 72.2% | −1.2pp |
| Annual dividend (¥) | 47.00 | 45.00 | +4.4% |
| FY2027 guidance — Revenue (¥ million) | 50,200 | — | +0.4% |
| FY2027 guidance — Operating profit (¥ million) | 1,500 | — | −37.6% |
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.