Fast Retailing Hits Record High as Uniqlo Drives Profit Forecast Upgrade

Fast Retailing, the Japanese parent company of Uniqlo, saw its shares climb to an all-time high on Friday after the retailer raised its full-year profit projections. The upward revision comes on the back of strong quarterly results and favorable currency assumptions. The company increased its full-year operating profit forecast to 700 billion yen ($4.4 billion), up from the previous estimate of 650 billion yen. CEO Tadashi Yanai indicated that the company has a prolonged runway for expansion, signaling that there is significant growth ahead for the group. For the six-month period ending February 28, 2026, Fast Retailing reported revenue of 2.06 trillion yen, a 14.8% increase year-on-year. Operating profit grew by 31.7% to reach 400.6 billion yen, driven by broad-based global demand. Growth was primarily led by Uniqlo International, where revenue rose 22.4% and profits jumped 37.4%. This performance was supported by strong sales across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Western markets, alongside continued traction in year-round apparel. Despite the growth, the company acknowledged that conflict in the Middle East has begun to impact costs, specifically through higher transportation expenses. However, management stated that prior adjustments to logistics and production have mitigated these supply chain risks, and the impact on overall distribution is expected to remain limited. Fast Retailing's diverse brand portfolio includes Uniqlo, GU, Theory, PLST, and Comptoir des Cotonniers.