Aidma Q1 Operating Profit More Than Doubles to ¥91 Million as Retail-Media Demand Lifts Revenue 19%

Revenue up 19%, costs flat

Aidma Marketing Communication Co., Ltd. (TSE: 9466) published consolidated results for the three months to June 30, 2026 on August 12, 2026 under Japanese GAAP. Revenue rose 19.0% to ¥1,349 million, operating profit 137.5% to ¥91 million, ordinary profit 131.5% to ¥97 million and net profit attributable to shareholders 126.5% to ¥64 million, for earnings per share of ¥4.92 against ¥2.17. Comprehensive income rose 118.1% to ¥82 million.

The mechanics are simple and worth stating plainly. Gross profit rose ¥52 million to ¥334 million, a gross margin of 24.8% against 24.9% — essentially unchanged. Selling and administrative expenses fell, by ¥1 million to ¥243 million. Almost all of the extra gross profit therefore dropped through to the operating line, which is what turns a 19% revenue gain into a 138% profit gain.

Electronic shelf labels, and what the company calls retail media

Aidma's customers are mostly in distribution and retail, where labour and logistics costs keep rising and prices and cost structures are under continuous review. In that setting, interest in retail media — using in-store touchpoints to build customer relationships, prompt purchases and raise lifetime value — has been growing, helped by smartphone penetration and the spread of payment methods. The company's All Media Promotion service is built around labour-saving in-store operations: electronic shelf labels, but also the linking of those labels with digital signage and other media, combined with social-media operation, which it pitches as improving the in-store customer experience rather than simply cutting staff time. Aidma reports as a single segment, integrated sales-promotion support, and all revenue is advertising-related.

A new subsidiary and a restricted-stock grant

The group added one consolidated subsidiary this quarter: Narrative Technologies Inc., newly established. On August 12, 2026 — the day of these results — the board resolved to grant restricted shares of Aidma to that subsidiary's directors, with monetary compensation claims of up to ¥30 million to be contributed in kind for newly issued shares. The issue price is the closing price of August 10, 2026, and the transfer restriction runs until the holders leave every officer or employee position in the group, with release conditional on two years of continuous service.

Balance sheet and guidance

Total assets fell ¥126 million to ¥4,235 million: receivables rose ¥99 million and investment securities ¥27 million, while cash fell ¥247 million and deferred tax assets ¥20 million. Liabilities fell ¥142 million to ¥847 million, with electronically recorded obligations down ¥163 million, trade payables down ¥16 million and long-term borrowings down ¥25 million against ¥19 million more accrued expenses. Net assets rose ¥16 million to ¥3,388 million — the ¥64 million profit and ¥18 million of securities gains against ¥67 million of dividends paid in June — and the equity ratio rose to 80.0% from 77.3%.

The guidance published on May 12, 2026 was left unchanged: full-year revenue of ¥5,000 million (+5.0%), operating profit of ¥300 million (+11.7%), ordinary profit of ¥300 million (+9.8%) and net profit of ¥210 million (+17.2%), for earnings per share of ¥16.05. The first quarter has delivered 27% of that revenue and 30% of the operating-profit target. The annual dividend forecast stays at ¥10.00, split ¥5.00 and ¥5.00.

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.