Results and business measures were announced by several companies during the afternoon trading session. ホリイフードサービス announced an increase in 3Q profit, Asahi Kasei received approval for a new drug, ASNOVA introduced a shareholder benefit program, 買取王国 reported better-than-expected first-half profit, and business trends at 川崎地質 and グラファイトデザイン were also reported.
ホリイフードサービス announced cumulative 3Q consolidated operating profit for the fiscal year ending November 2026 of ¥440 million, up 37.3% year on year. Progress against the full-year forecast was 82.7%. The company is promoting digital transformation at existing stores and responding to higher raw material costs by revising its core menu and prices, while strengthening efforts to acquire app and LINE members, with reservations remaining solid. The stock came under selling pressure after investors reacted negatively to the lack of an upward revision to the full-year forecast. Asahi Kasei subsequently announced that its Pritelivir had received FDA approval. Targeting treatment-resistant HSV infections, the drug is expected to provide a new option that does not require intravenous administration and is scheduled for launch in the United States by the end of 2026. ASNOVA also announced that it would introduce a new shareholder benefit program, offering gifts to shareholders who hold at least 1,000 shares for 1 year or more. Transitional measures limited to the initial record date of 31 March 2027 will also apply. 買取王国 then recorded its third consecutive daily gain, after reporting first-half operating profit for the fiscal year ending February 2027 of ¥290 million, up 63.0% year on year and exceeding the company's forecast of ¥200 million. Strong sales of major product categories and the contribution of general expenses shifted from other periods supported the result. Finally, 川崎地質 reported cumulative 3Q operating profit of ¥910 million, up 51.9% year on year, and orders received of ¥6.188 billion, down 46.4% year on year, while net sales fell 22.1% to ¥6.99 billion. The company decided to strengthen its sales activities in response to changes in the order environment. グラファイトデザイン performed well, reporting first-half operating profit of ¥380 million, 9.8 times the year-earlier level, supported by the popularity of its own-brand shafts in the US market. Foreign exchange movements were also a positive factor.