OREANDA-NEWS. The Fast Retailing Group generated gains in both revenue and profit in the nine months from September 2014 to May 2015. Revenue expanded 23.9% year on year to JP?1.3481 trillion, and operating profit increased 35.5% to ?189.2 billion. All three business segments reported increases in both revenue and profit, with UNIQLO International reporting especially strong gains in both parameters. Profit before income taxes and profit attributable to owners of the parent both increased by a greater margin than operating profit. This was due largely to the depreciation of the Japanese yen over the nine months to May 31, 2015, which boosted the carrying amount of foreign-currency denominated assets, generating net finance income of ?21.0 billion. 

?UNIQLO Japan: Strong same-store sales growth generates higher-than-expected gains in revenue and profit
UNIQLO Japan reported further gains in revenue and profit in the third quarter from March to May 2015. Same-store sales continued strong, expanding 9.9% year on year on the back of buoyant demand for Spring Summer ranges. The gross profit margin contracted 1.1% year on year after the procurement of some Spring Summer items at spot exchange rates boosted the cost of sales. However, the SG&A to revenue ratio improved by 0.9 point, helping to boost UNIQLO Japan operating profit by 11.2% year on year.
?UNIQLO International: Achieves expected gains in revenue and profit on consistent strength from Greater China and South Korea
Revenue and profit gains were in line with expectations in the third quarter from March to May 2015. Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and South Korea reported another strong performance, with increases in revenue and profit outstripping estimates. Conversely, sales and operating profit at UNIQLO USA both fell short of target in the third quarter, swelling that operation's overall loss. Operating profit margin for UNIQLO International segment was knocked slightly lower by a ?2.0 billion loss on retirement of fixed assets linked to the refurbishment of global flagship stores in the UK and China.
?Global Brands: Reports higher-than-expected rises in revenue and profit, GU strong
Global Brands achieved higher-than-expected gains in revenue and profit in the third quarter March to May 2015. GU outperformed expectations to report significant gains in both parameters on the back of double-digit growth in same-store sales and an improved operating profit margin. By contrast, Theory fell short of target to report a decline in profits. J Brand reported persistent losses, despite a rise in revenue.
?FY2015 consolidated estimates: Expect a record performance
Group revenue: ?1.65 trillion (+19.3% year on year), operating profit: ?200.0 billion (+53.4%), profit before income taxes ?211.5 billion (+56.1%), profit attributable to owners of the parent: ?120.0 billion (+61.0%). This data would generate earnings per share of ?1,177.41. Scheduled FY2015 annual dividend: ?350 per share, divided equally into interim and year-end dividends of ?175 each.