Asics targets 2% growth in 2016

By

Olivier Guyot

Published
Feb 16, 2016

In 2015, Asics generated a revenue of JPY428 billion (€3.354 billion). Much more than the JPY354 billion of the previous fiscal year... which, however, covered only 9 months, from April to December 2014.

Also, is it hard to compare the results of the two periods in question.
The group nevertheless stated that "business in the sporting goods industry is stable, against the backdrop of a strong interest in sports due to an increasing awareness of the importance of well-being and the boom in running."

The group reported that nearly JPY123 billion were generated in Japan, 136 billion in the Americas, 116 billion in Europe, where Asics opened new stores in Paris and Madrid, 22 billion in Oceania/South-East Asia, with a fine performance by running products, nearly 42 billion in East Asia, and 11 billion in other markets.

The group's EBIT amounted to JPY27.4 billion, i.e. less over the course of 12 months than the JPY30.5 billion generated in 9 months in 2014. Operating margin thus fell by 8.6%, to 6.4%. In this respect, Japan (1.9%) and the Americas (1.1%) clearly represented the group's two sore spots. Instead, Oceania/South-East Asia with 15.9%, but also East Asia (11.1%) and Europe (9.4%) have all put up positive performances.

Asics is looking to improve all of these margins. For the 2016 fiscal year, the Japanese group announced it is targeting a revenue of JPY437 billion (€3.42 billion), equivalent to a 2% rise. But it is also aiming for a 5.7% increase in its EBIT, up to JPY29 billion (€230 million).