Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.·Consumer Cyclical

I have upgraded Fast Retailing's rating from 'Hold' to 'Buy' following my assessment of its prospects. The company raised its full-year financial guidance after registering a 1HFY2026 operating profit beat. FRCOY's European and North American businesses have the potential to be as large as its core Japanese unit in the intermediate-term.

Shares jumped over 9% to a record after Fast Retailing raised its full-year profit forecast. Company now sees operating profit at 700 billion yen, up from prior 650 billion yen guidance.

Fast Retailing raised its annual earnings forecasts after stronger first-half profit on robust global sales growth in its Uniqlo casual-clothing chain.

The Japanese owner of clothing brand Uniqlo said on Thursday that quarterly profit rose 29.4% just before the Middle East crisis roiled global markets and supply chains, and raised its full-year forecast.

Fast Retailing was a top contributor during the quarter, driven by strong execution across its global operations. Alibaba was a detractor during the quarter after the company reported mixed fiscal Q2 results. New positions were established in Sea Limited and Grab Holdings, while the portfolio's position in Atlassian was liquidated.

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:FRCOY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 80,011 shares, an increase of 46.8% from the December 31st total of 54,503 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 135,399
Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, operates as an apparel designer and retailer in Japan and internationally. The company operates through four segments: UNIQLO Japan, UNIQLO International, GU, and Global Brands. It manufactures and retails clothing for men, women, children, and babies; and lingerie, as well as other goods and items. The company operates stores and franchises under the UNIQLO, GU, PLST, Theory, COMPTOIR DES COTONNIERS, J Brand, and PRINCESSE TAM.TAM brand names. It also sells its products through online; and provides real estate leasing services. The company was formerly known as Ogori Shoji Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. in September 1991. Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Yamaguchi, Japan.
Consumer Cyclical
Apparel - Retail
60,454
2010-01-05
0.55