Aeon Returns to Profit in Fiscal Q1 on Strong Operating Revenue and Profit

Aeon (TYO:8267) returned to a profit in the fiscal first quarter following record-high performances in operating revenue and profit, according to a Friday filing with the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The diversified retail and banking conglomerate posted attributable profit of 13.8 billion yen in the quarter through May 31, returning from a loss of 6.57 billion yen a year earlier. Aeon logged basic earnings per share of 4.99 yen against a loss per share of 2.54 yen a year ago. The company's operating revenue increased 15% to 2.942 trillion yen from 2.567 trillion yen in the prior-year period. Operating profit surged 34% to 75.2 billion yen from 56.3 billion yen. The conglomerate's developer and entertainment, health and wellness, and its ASEAN operations drove growth during the quarter. Revenue from its health segment surged 90% to 638 billion yen from 336 billion yen a year earlier, while segment profit soared 216% or more than threefold to 26.7 billion yen from 8.45 billion yen. Developer and entertainment operating profit grew 43% to 27.8 billion yen from 19.4 billion yen. Profit at its ASEAN operations jumped 40% to 18.3 billion yen from 13.1 billion yen. Aeon leveraged.