Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ results for the nine months of its current financial year to 31 December 2012 show that the performance of its motorcycle and engine division has improved — but it is still losing money.
Global sales revenue from bikes and ATVs for the three quarters to date has risen by 2.8 per cent to £1.09bn. But the division posted an operating loss of £13.8m. This is nevertheless considerably better than the £31.4m operating loss it incurred in the same period last year.
KHI as a whole isn’t in particularly good shape, either. Total revenue has dropped by 2.3 per cent to £6.07bn. Operating profit is down by 51.5 per cent at £157.2m. Net profit has shrunk by 42.6 per cent to £132.6m.
However, Kawasaki’s share price remained remarkably unaffected following this results announcement because the group also raised its full-year operating profit forecast to around £275m. Given the seasonal nature of the motorcycle business, that division should also strengthen its position with a shipment surge in the first three months of this year.