Fast Retailing shares soar to record high after the Uniqlo owner lifts profit forecast

Fast Retailing shares surged more than 9% to a record high on Friday after the Japanese parent of Uniqlo lifted its annual outlook and as robust international growth boosted its quarterly profit.

Reflecting the stronger first-half performance and favorable currency assumptions, the company raised its full-year outlook for operating profit to 700 billion yen ($4.4 billion) from 650 billion yen forecast earlier.

Shares of Fast Retailing rose to a record high

The company sees a prolonged runway for expansion, with CEO Tadashi Yanai signaling "significant growth ahead" in a presentation on Thursday.

Fast Retailing reported a strong set of interim results for the six months ended Feb. 28, 2026, with revenue rising 14.8% year on year to 2.06 trillion yen and operating profit jumping 31.7% to 400.6 billion yen, as robust global demand for Uniqlo drove broad-based growth across regions.

Performance was led by Uniqlo International, where revenue surged 22.4% and profit rose 37.4%, supported by strong sales across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Western markets, alongside continued traction in year-round apparel, the company said in its earnings release.

The retailer, however, acknowledged that the Middle East conflict was beginning to feed into costs, particularly through higher transportation expenses in some markets, adding that earlier adjustments to production and logistics have helped cushion supply chain risks. "This will not have a major impact from a production and distribution perspective," the company said.

Fast Retailing's portfolio of brands includes Uniqlo, GU, Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers and PLST.