Keyence's operating profit rose 50.0% to ¥408.3bn in the six months from March 21 to September 20, 2026, on sales of ¥735.4bn, up 34.9% from a year earlier. Net profit attributable to owners of the parent rose 49.4% to ¥298.7bn, according to the company's interim earnings summary dated October 29.
Acceleration from a slower base
The same period a year earlier produced sales growth of 5.8% and operating profit growth of 3.1%, so this half is a sharp step up. Ordinary profit rose 48.9% to ¥424.3bn.
Keyence described a global manufacturing backdrop in which capital spending continued. It cited broad strength across industries in the Americas and continued growth in Asia, led by semiconductors and electrical precision. It also reported a recovery in Europe and in Japan. The company said it had strengthened product planning and development and its sales operations.
The balance sheet grew too. Total assets reached ¥3.96tn at September 20, and net assets were ¥3.70tn, an equity ratio of 93.7%. The interim earnings summary is not subject to review by a certified public accountant or audit firm.
Dividend raised before the split
Keyence's board set the interim dividend at ¥325 a share, ¥50 above its July 28 forecast and ¥50 above the ¥275 paid for the same period last year. The payout totals ¥78.8bn, with a record date of September 20 and payment from November 26.
A five-for-one split of common shares takes effect on November 21, 2026. The interim dividend is paid on the pre-split share count. The year-end dividend forecast is ¥65 on post-split shares, which the company states as ¥325 before the split. That brings the full-year figure to ¥650 on a pre-split basis, against ¥550 in the previous forecast and for the prior year.