Mazda maintains annual dividend despite first-half operating loss

Mazda Motor Corporation announced an interim dividend of 25 yen per share, with September 30, 2025, as the record date. This maintains the annual dividend forecast at 55 yen per share, including a revised year-end dividend of 30 yen per share. The company reported a consolidated operating loss of 53.9 bn yen for the first half of FY March 2026, a decrease of 156.9 bn yen compared to the prior year, primarily due to a 97.1 bn yen tariff impact and a 54.9 bn yen impact from volume and mix. Net sales for the period were 2,238.5 bn yen, down 6.5%.

Despite the first-half loss, Mazda forecasts a recovery in the second half, aiming for a full-year operating income of 50.0 bn yen on net sales of 4,900.0 bn yen, which aligns with its August 2025 forecast. This recovery is anticipated through a 150 bn yen improvement in operating income in the second half compared to the first, driven by significant improvements in volume, pricing, and model mix, as well as foreign exchange and cost improvements. Global sales volume for the first six months totaled 609,000 units, a 3.3% year-on-year decrease, with a full-year forecast of 1.3m units.

The company is addressing challenging market conditions, including US tariffs, by accelerating efforts to leverage reduced tariffs and sustained demand in the US, and strengthening product launches in major markets like the new MAZDA CX-5. Initiatives in key regions include expanding CX-50 sales in North America, launching the Mazda6e in Europe, and introducing the electric crossover SUV Mazda EZ-60 in China.