Top Message
Established in 1950, Star Micronics Co., Ltd. possesses the strength of developing and manufacturing high-added value products based on its core technologies of small-scale precision processing and assembly, aiming for more than half a century to realize businesses that “generate the greatest impact from the least materials.” From early period, we have looked overseas for business opportunities and promoted growth strategies with an emphasis on profitability in the global niche markets since the company was established. Going forward, Star Micronics will leverage the strength it has built up to develop its businesses and further raise its corporate value.
Group’s performance in the Fiscal 2023
Looking at fiscal 2023, the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the outlook for the economy remained uncertain throughout the period under review. Despite an overall modest recovery amid signs of a lull in the surge in resource prices and prolonged inflation, this uncertainty largely reflects growing concerns surrounding the threat of an economic recession owing to the prolonged upswing in interest rates in the U.S. and Europe, deteriorating market conditions and slowing investment in China, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
In each of the major markets in which the Star Micronics Group operates, demand for POS printers was generally weak. In addition, demand for the Group’s mainstay machine tools in overseas markets, which had previously remained high, stalled with little or no forward momentum. Exacerbating these difficult trends, demand in Japan also failed to recover.
Under these circumstances, the Star Micronics Group reported sales of ¥78,196 million for the he fiscal year under review, down 10.5% compared with the previous fiscal year. Despite the overall impact of depreciation in the value of the yen, this was mainly due to a decline in sales of the Company’s mainstay machine tools. From a profit perspective, operating income declined 25.7%, to ¥10,350 million. Ordinary income decreased 22.8%, to ¥10,960 million. Net income attributable to owners of parent fell 20.6%, to ¥8,175 million.
To Our Shareholders
Star Micronics positions the return and distribution of profits to shareholders as an important management priority.
With this in mind, the Company has put in place the basic policy of continuing to pay a progressive and stable annual dividend of at least ¥60 per share and committing to achieve a total payout ratio of at least 50%, including the repurchase of its own shares.
Based on this policy, Star Micronics paid a period-end dividend of ¥30 per share. Together with the interim dividend of ¥30 per share, the Company paid an annual dividend of ¥60 per share. Excluding the previous period’s special dividend paid, this annual dividend is unchanged from the previous fiscal year.
As far as the dividend for the next fiscal year is concerned, and once again based on the aforementioned policy, Star Micronics plans to pay an interim and period-end dividend of ¥30 per share for an annual dividend of ¥60 per share.
Turning to the Company’s internal reserves, Star Micronics is committed to enhancing its corporate value while increasing shareholders’ profits. At the same time, the Company will look to engage in a variety of activities including investment in future growth fields in a bid to ensure its sustainable growth.
We look forward to the continued support and encouragement of all our shareholders in the future.
March 2024
Representative Director,
President and CEO
Mamoru Sato