Milbon announced an upward revision to its full-year forecast, citing strong first-half performance, and said it would conduct a ¥1.8 billion share buyback. Overseas operations, led by growth in the US, are driving performance, and attention is focused on the company’s strategy going forward.
Milbon, a leading provider of professional hair-care products and hair-coloring agents, reported net sales of ¥26,878 million, up 8.3% year on year, and operating profit of ¥3,347 million, up 72.7%, for the first half of the fiscal year ending December 2026, delivering substantial profit growth. Overseas net sales were particularly strong at ¥7,884 million, up 24.7%, supported by expansion in the US market and the strengthening of its distributor network. In Japan, solid sales of hair-care formulations and proposals for new brands contributed to performance.
Based on first-half results, the company raised its full-year forecast to net sales of ¥55,600 million, up 5.2% year on year and ¥800 million above the previous forecast, and operating profit of ¥6,550 million, up 15.9% and ¥250 million above the previous forecast. The foreign-exchange assumptions are ¥150 to the US dollar and ¥180 to the euro, incorporating the impact of higher raw-material costs resulting from tensions in the Middle East. New product launches and a recovery in the domestic market are also expected to support performance going forward.
At the same time, the company announced plans to conduct a ¥1.8 billion share buyback. The acquisition period is from 12 August to 17 December 2026, with a maximum of 900,000 shares. The company will continue its progressive dividend policy, targeting a dividend payout ratio of approximately 50%. Under its next medium-term management vision, covering 2027-2031, the company intends to focus on overseas growth, renewed growth in Japan and improved capital efficiency.