JCM Global Operating Profit Surges 234.9 Percent in First Half on Gaming Segment Strength

Japan Cash Machine Co Ltd reported a 234.9 percent year-on-year increase in operating profit for the six months to September 30, reaching nearly JPY2.75 billion (US$17.3 million). Group net sales rose 39.4 percent to just under JPY20.59 billion, according to a filing reported by GGRAsia. Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 35.1 percent to JPY2.14 billion after a prior one-off asset sale gain did not repeat.

Ordinary profit climbed 168.8 percent to approximately JPY2.72 billion. A JPY218 million foreign exchange loss replaced the prior year's JPY55 million gain.

Gaming Segment Sales Jump 46.6 Percent

The global gaming segment generated sales of JPY14.33 billion, up 46.6 percent, with profit rising 67.7 percent to JPY3.71 billion. Sales of bill validators and printers led gains in North America and Europe. Capital investment at casino hotels stayed at a high level.

JCM is rolling out the iVIZION 2 bill validator, built for new banknote security features. In a September interview with GGRAsia, Dave Kubajak, senior vice president of sales, marketing and operations, said the product was already being shipped to customers in Australia, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

International commercial sales more than doubled to JPY4.12 billion. That segment narrowed its loss to JPY35 million from JPY561 million despite acquisition costs from Fujitsu Frontech Ltd. The domestic commercial segment swung to a JPY190 million loss from a JPY87 million profit as sales dropped 29.5 percent.

Upward Revision to Full-Year Profit Forecast

JCM lifted its fiscal 2027 operating profit forecast to JPY4.90 billion from JPY3.00 billion, a 63.3 percent increase in the projection. The net profit forecast rose 69.6 percent to JPY3.90 billion. Sales guidance stayed at JPY39.00 billion to account for tariff refunds passed to customers. The annual dividend projection increased to JPY73 per share from JPY46.

The tariff adjustment and exchange loss limited sales growth even as profitability exceeded prior expectations. Casino equipment orders tied to sustained capital spending produced the outperformance in core gaming lines.