Ahead of the interim earnings season, more companies using AI are reporting upside surprises. AI-user companies in particular have posted a succession of second-quarter revenue and profit increases, with strength especially evident among manufacturers and their business partners.
A total of 210 companies announced their fiscal 2026 second-quarter results. For the first half, overall revenue rose 9% year on year and ordinary profit rose 8%, while in the second quarter revenue rose 11% and ordinary profit fell 5%. The impact of the Kumamoto earthquake and bad weather on retailers was cited as a factor. Excluding retail, second-quarter revenue rose 8% and ordinary profit rose 3%, with marked profit growth in areas such as machinery and electrical equipment. Companies reporting full-year results in March are also expected to remain firm.
More B2B companies are using AI to increase sales and productivity simultaneously. Information-services companies such as BayCurrent and SHIFT are growing through AI businesses, while Opro and note emphasized their use of AI in their own operations. Some companies, including Gunosy and Growth X Partners, are lagging in their response to AI. Results in related areas such as data centers, semiconductors, robotics and marine radar were generally firm.
Among consumer-facing B2C companies, downward revisions were prominent in retail, while new forms of consumption emerged. Reuse businesses remained firm, and AI-based English-language learning was also featured. Ryohin Keikaku and Fast Retailing performed well, particularly overseas. Regional differences were seen in the struggles of high-priced condominium developments and the firmness of detached-home developments. The article also noted a seasonal tendency for M&A and share-buyback announcements to increase during the interim earnings season.
The report continues with commentary on overall market trends, including share-price reactions to earnings and upcoming events. Movements in AI-related stocks and the interim earnings season are identified as key areas of focus going forward.