-- Roughly 70% of Japanese companies reported higher profit for the fiscal year ended March, led by demand tied to AI, Nikkei reported Friday.
Chip-related firms drove gains, with Advantest (TYO:6857) and Disco (TYO:6146) posting record earnings, while Hitachi (TYO:6501) benefited from data center demand. Factory automation and electronics groups including Fanuc (TYO:6954), Keyence (TYO:6861) and TDK (TYO:6762) also gained, the report said.
Aggregate net profit rose 8% to 12.3 trillion yen, keeping Japan on track for a fifth straight annual record if trends hold, according to the report.
Weakness persisted in some sectors, with Komatsu (TYO:6301) and Tokyo Steel Manufacturing (TYO:5423) hit by tariffs, China-driven price pressure and rising energy costs, the report said.
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