Japan Tobacco raised its full-year earnings forecast in its second-quarter results for the fiscal year ending December 2026, lifting revenue to 3.885 trillion yen and operating profit to 1.008 trillion yen. In the first half, revenue rose 17.7% year on year and operating profit rose 29.0%, while total tobacco sales volume also held firm with a 1.0% increase. The dividend per share was raised by 30 yen from the previous forecast of 242 yen to 272 yen, putting the dividend yield at 3.96%. The share price closed at 6,870 yen on August 20, 2026, up 21.8% since the start of the year and up 43.5% over one year, trading near record highs. Meanwhile, risks have been flagged from tighter regulation, including the passage of a UK bill banning tobacco sales to people born after 2009, and from potential impairment of goodwill, which accounts for 34.4% of total assets.
Japan Tobacco Inc.Raised full-year earnings and dividend forecasts, with strong H1 results and increased dividend.
