OREANDA-NEWS. The overall global economy continued to expand gradually in the term under review, supported by factors including the slower but continuing economic growth in China and the ASEAN countries and the ongoing recovery trend in the United States, despite persistent stagnant economic conditions in Europe.

The Japanese economy also showed apparent signs of recovery, supported by strong public-sector investment and increasing capital investment accompanying an upturn in corporate earnings and recovering production activity along with improving consumer sentiment and spending.

NSSMC posted first-half consolidated net sales of JPN 2,674.5 billion, operating profit of JPN 139.2 billion, and ordinary profit of JPN 173.6 billion. Net income amounted to JPN 115.5 billion due to the incorporation of a gain on the sale of investments in securities and a loss on inactive facilities.