OREANDA-NEWS. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. announced its results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

Ajinomoto Co. plans to pay a year-end dividend of 10 yen per share, an increase of 2 yen from the previous fiscal year, with annual dividends per share for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 totaling 18 yen (including an 8-yen interim dividend).

Earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 were net sales of 1,172.4 billion yen, a decrease of 24.8 billion yen compared with the previous fiscal year (down 2.1%) and operating income of 71.2 billion yen, a decrease of 1.3 billion yen (down 1.9%). However, excluding the effect of Calpis Co., Ltd., net sales increased 20.9 billion yen and operating income decreased 0.5 billion yen, essentially unchanged from the previous fiscal year. Ordinary income increased 1.2 billion yen to a record high of 77.1 billion yen (up 1.6%) due to factors including an increase in equity in earnings of non-consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates and a gain on foreign currency exchange. In addition, Ajinomoto Co. recorded 49.1 billion yen in extraordinary gains, including gain on transfer of benefit obligation relating to employees’ pension fund and gain on sale of Calpis shares.

Extraordinary losses totaled 25.4 billion yen, including impairment losses on pharmaceutical manufacturing and sales facilities associated with business restructuring and a sweetener manufacturing facility in France. As a result, net income increased 6.6 billion yen to a record high of 48.3 billion yen (up 15.9%).

Net sales decreased 24.8 billion yen to 1,172.4 billion yen (down 2.1%) due to the impact of the exclusion of sales of Calpis products from the scope of consolidation from the third quarter. By region, sales in Japan decreased to 764.9 billion yen (down 6.1%) but overseas sales increased to 407.5 billion yen (up 6.6%). Excluding the impact from Calpis products, net sales increased 20.9 billion yen to 1,111.3 billion yen (up 1.9%) with increases in sales of seasonings, processed foods and frozen foods in Japan, although sales in the pharmaceuticals and other segments decreased, and growth in overseas sales, mainly in consumer foods and feed-use amino acids.

Net income increased 6.6 billion yen to 48.3 billion yen (up 15.9%), surpassing the previous record high of 44.8 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Net income per share also reached a record high of 74.35 yen (61.28 yen in the previous fiscal year).