While newly established AI-related businesses are driving growth, a growing number of companies are pursuing structural reforms in response to weakness in their existing businesses. Key points from third-quarter results and quarterly performance are reviewed by company.
Among companies that have found growth drivers, note secured substantial profit growth in the third quarter, with revenue up 33.2% and operating profit up 567.0%. Its newly established AI-related business accounted for part of revenue, and the company is also using AI to improve productivity across the group. Meanwhile, Makuake's quarterly transaction value reached a record high, and the average monthly project value also rose.
As companies respond to slowdowns in existing businesses, Media Kobo's operating loss widened due to weakness in its fortune-telling business. The company is expected to continue structural reforms by bringing operations in-house and eliminating unprofitable businesses. Karadanote returned to profitability for the first time in 2 fiscal years through the transfer of its low-margin business and is moving into a growth phase by building an insurance agency group.
A common trend is the shift in revenue sources away from advertising dependence toward commerce, paid services and AI. Furusato tax donation services at i-mobile reached a record high, while operating profit in its internet advertising business declined as structural reforms continued. For each company, optimizing resource allocation is proving to be a key turning point in performance.
Other results reported in succession include the contribution of note's AI-related business, the resilience of Makuake's transaction value and average project value, Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shimbun's upward revision to its full-year forecast, CINC's return to profitability and improved investment efficiency at Itokuro.