Hobonichi Co., Ltd. (TSE: 3560) reported non-consolidated results for the nine months to May 31, 2026 (the third-quarter cumulative period of the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026) under Japanese GAAP. Net sales rose 16.9% year-on-year to ¥8,028 million from ¥6,867 million, while operating profit surged 64.1% to ¥1,188 million from ¥724 million. Ordinary profit climbed 59.6% to ¥1,206 million from ¥756 million, and net profit advanced 61.1% to ¥838 million from ¥520 million. Basic earnings per share jumped to ¥361.20 from ¥224.25.
Techo planner drives double-digit growth
Hobonichi is best known for the Hobonichi Techo, the cult-favourite daily planner and diary from the company founded by copywriter Shigesato Itoi, and for its "Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun" web publication. Techo-related products and the goods sold alongside them powered the nine-month top-line gain, and with operating leverage the profit growth ran far ahead of sales — operating profit rose almost four times as fast as revenue, sharply widening the operating margin. The result extends the momentum the brand has built with planner enthusiasts at home and abroad.
Why nine-month profit already tops the full-year forecast
The standout feature of the release is that nine-month net profit of ¥838 million already comfortably exceeds the company's full-year net-profit forecast of ¥480 million. This is not an error but a function of Hobonichi's pronounced seasonality. Its fiscal year begins in September, and the Hobonichi Techo launches and sells most heavily from September through the new year, front-loading the bulk of annual revenue and profit into the first three quarters. The fourth quarter (June–August) is a seasonal trough, when planner sales quieten ahead of the next autumn launch, so the company routinely books the majority of its annual earnings before the final quarter.
A fortress balance sheet
Total assets stood at ¥7,001 million at the end of the period, with net assets of ¥5,593 million. That lifted the equity ratio to a very high 79.9%, underscoring a debt-light, cash-generative business model that leaves Hobonichi with substantial financial headroom.
Guidance unchanged; ¥90 dividend planned
Despite the strong nine-month showing, management left its full-year FY2026/8 guidance unchanged: net sales of ¥9,500 million (+9.5%), operating profit of ¥680 million (+10.2%), ordinary profit of ¥680 million (+4.4%) and net profit of ¥480 million (+7.1%), for EPS of ¥206.79. The company plans a year-end dividend of ¥90.00, giving an annual dividend of ¥90.00 per share. With three quarters already run well ahead of plan, investors will watch whether the seasonally quiet fourth quarter prompts an upward revision, though the conservative full-year stance reflects the limited earnings the June–August period typically contributes.
| Metric | 9M FY2026/8 | 9M FY2025/8 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales (¥m) | 8,028 | 6,867 | +16.9% |
| Operating profit (¥m) | 1,188 | 724 | +64.1% |
| Ordinary profit (¥m) | 1,206 | 756 | +59.6% |
| Net profit (¥m) | 838 | 520 | +61.1% |
| Basic EPS (¥) | 361.20 | 224.25 | +61.1% |
| Total assets (¥m) | 7,001 | — | — |
| Net assets (¥m) | 5,593 | — | — |
| Equity ratio | 79.9% | — | — |
| Annual dividend per share (¥) | 90.00 | — | — |
| FY2026/8 net sales guidance (¥m) | 9,500 | — | +9.5% |
| FY2026/8 operating profit guidance (¥m) | 680 | — | +10.2% |
| FY2026/8 net profit guidance (¥m) | 480 | — | +7.1% |
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.