Ain Holdings raises forecasts, expands pharmacy network after major acquisition

Ain Holdings Inc. has announced an upward revision to its consolidated financial forecasts for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026. For the first half of fiscal 2026, net sales are now projected to be 300,210 million yen, up from 257,810 million yen, while profit attributable to owners of parent is expected to reach 4,900 million yen, an increase from 4,820 million yen. For the full fiscal year, net sales are revised to 646,000 million yen (from 522,000 million yen), and profit attributable to owners of parent to 13,500 million yen (from 11,450 million yen), representing increases of 23.8% and 17.9% respectively. These revisions follow a strong first quarter where net sales increased by 28.3% year-on-year to 132,969 million yen, and profit attributable to owners of parent rose by 17.5% to 1,930 million yen.

The positive outlook is attributed to increased high-cost prescriptions and steady prescription volumes in the dispensing pharmacy business. A significant factor is the acquisition of Sakura Pharmacy Group, operating approximately 830 dispensing pharmacies. This acquisition, completed on August 1, 2025, through the purchase of NSSK-WW Co., Ltd. for 59,100 million yen, expands Ain Holdings' network to over 2,000 dispensing pharmacies.

To finance this acquisition, Ain Holdings secured a bridge loan of 125,000 million yen from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation on August 1, 2025, for a six-month period. The company also reported an increase in cash and deposits of 19,299 million yen in the first quarter, reaching 46,180 million yen, in preparation for the consolidation of Sakura Pharmacy Group. Despite these revisions, the company's dividend forecast remains unchanged.