Platz ＜7813＞ announced consolidated financial results for the 3rd quarter (23/7/24 to 3/24) of the fiscal year ending 2024/6 on the 9th. Sales increased 3.7% from the same period last year to 4.849 billion yen, operating profit was 0.61 billion yen (loss of 131 million yen in the same period last year), ordinary profit was 176 million yen (loss of 131 million yen), and quarterly net profit attributable to parent company shareholders increased 45.8% to 164 million yen.

Sales to the welfare equipment distribution market, which accounts for less than 70% of sales, increased 1.3% from the same period last year to 3.280 billion yen. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare's “Nursing Care Benefit Cost Actual Situation Statistics Monthly Report,” the total number of people requiring support and certified nursing care as of 2023/11 increased 1.3% compared to the previous year to 7.31 million, and the total number of beneficiaries increased 1.8% to 5.62 million. The number of cases of special bed use in the welfare equipment loan system increased by 14,000 cases compared to the previous year to 1.088,000 cases (1.3% increase from the previous year), and it was in response to such a market environment.

Sales for the medical and elderly facility market, which accounts for less than 30% of sales, were 1,438 billion yen, up 15.1% from the same period last year. The increase in sales unit prices due to price increases implemented from 2022/10 was a success.

On the profit side, gross profit margin improved 2.2 points from the same period last year to 29.7%. As for the exchange situation between China and Vietnam, which has an impact on profits, the actual purchase exchange rate for the 3rd quarter consolidated financial results was 1 dollar = 144 yen 90 yen, and the yen depreciated compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, overall sales unit prices have improved due to price increases implemented from 2022/10, and effects such as a reduction in overseas logistics costs have appeared.

SHENGBANG METAL CO., LTD., an affiliate applying the Vietnamese equity method as non-operating income In addition to recording an investment profit of 98 million yen (up 32.9% from the same period last year) from LTD, there was an exchange gain of 0.15 million yen (exchange loss of 0.3 billion yen for the same period last year).

As for the full-year consolidated earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending 2024/6, the initial plan announced on 2023/8/10 remains unchanged. Sales are expected to increase 12.5% from the previous fiscal year to 7.10 billion yen, operating income to 100 billion yen (operating loss of 108 million yen in the previous fiscal year), ordinary profit of about 6 times the same to 150 million yen, and net income attributable to parent company shareholders to decrease 46.0% to 120 million yen.

In terms of sales, sales in the welfare equipment distribution market and the medical elderly facility market, which are the main sales destination markets, are expected to remain steady.

On the profit side, 1 dollar = 147 yen 00 yen, which is the average exchange rate for the 3rd quarter consolidated cumulative period, is almost at the same level as 1 dollar = 145 yen 00 yen, which is the expected exchange rate for the second half. The expected exchange rate for the second half of the fiscal year is 10 yen depreciation from 1 dollar = 135 yen 00 yen, which is the expected exchange rate at the beginning of the fiscal year, and although the most recent rate has been moving around the 1 dollar = 154 yen range, in addition to an increase in the sales structure ratio of products with high profit margins, product cost reductions and cost reductions will be effective. SHENGBANG METAL CO. It is expected that investment income from LTD can be recorded, and initial plans are also anticipated for operating income, ordinary income, and net income attributable to parent company shareholders.