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(AWP Alliance News) - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc on Friday reported a sharp rise in profit for its 2026 financial year, and set its sights on further growth in the new year. The Tokyo-based financial services company said attributable profit jumped 30% to JPY2.427 trillion, around USD15.31 billion, in the 12 months to the end of March from JPY1.863 trillion a year prior. Basic earnings per share grew 33% to JPY213.17 from JPY160.02. Ordinary income was 7.3% higher at JPY14.621 trillion from JPY13.630 trillion. MUFG said it will repurchase up to 45.0 million shares, or 0.4% of its stock, for up to JPY100.00 billion, by the end of June. The company said profit rose in financial 2026 due to contributions from overseas acquisitions, higher net interest income, and higher net fees and commissions. The firm raised its final financial 2026 dividend to JPY51.00 per share, up 31% from JPY39.00. The total payout grew 34% to JPY86.00 from JPY64.00. MUFG said it expects to increase the total dividend again in financial 2027 to JPY96.00 per share. Looking ahead, MUFG said it has set an attributable profit target of JPY2.700 trillion for financial 2027. Shares in MUFG closed up 1.8% at JPY2,929.00 on Friday in Tokyo. By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

(AWP Alliance News) - Mizuho Financial Group Inc on Friday said it will repurchase up to JPY100.00 billion of its shares, or around USD631.0 million, as it reported higher earnings for its financial year. The Tokyo-based financial services company said attributable profit jumped 41% to JPY1.249 trillion in the 12 months to the end of March from JPY885.43 billion a year prior. Earnings per share increased 44% to JPY502.92 from JPY350.20. Ordinary income grew 0.6% in financial 2026 to JPY9.085 trillion from JPY9.030 trillion, while ordinary profits were up 35% at JPY1.573 trillion from JPY1.168 trillion. The company said profit rose due to strong growth in fee business both in and outside of Japan, as well as external factors including yen depreciation and the Bank of Japan's higher policy interest rate. Mizuho said it will repurchase up to 25.0 million shares, around 1.0% of outstanding shares, for up to a maximum of JPY100.00 billion by the end of August. The firm lowered its final financial 2026 dividend by 3.3% to JPY72.50 per share from JPY75.00 a year prior. However, the total dividend for the year was up 3.6% to JPY145.00 from JPY140.00. Mizuho plans to increase its dividend again to JPY150.00 in financial 2027. Looking ahead, Mizuho said it expects attributable profit to rise 4.1% to JPY1.300 trillion in financial 2027, with EPS increasing to JPY533.10. Shares in Mizuho Financial Group closed down 1.0% at JPY6,912.00 on Friday in Tokyo. By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

(AWP Alliance News) - The German government is expecting a clear economic slowdown in the second quarter after a stronger-than-expected start to the year, the Economy Ministry said in its May report. The signs of a noticeable economic weakening were intensifying, the ministry wrote on Friday.  Just over three weeks ago, the government halved its economic forecast for the year as a whole. Only minor growth of 0.5% is now expected in 2026.  The escalation in the Middle East had set Germany back economically, as it had with other countries, conservative Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said. The war in Iran is pushing up prices for energy and raw materials, she pointed out. At the start of the year, the German economy grew more strongly than expected. Gross domestic product rose by 0.3% in the first quarter compared with the previous quarter, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office. 'Rising prices, supply chain problems and uncertainty are weighing on sentiment among companies and private households,' the ministry said on Friday. High volatility can still be expected in the coming months on energy, raw materials and financial markets, it said. Further economic development will depend on how long the conflict in the Middle East lasts and how long trade routes and production capacities remain impaired, the ministry said. 'But even after the situation eases, the consequences for energy and raw materials prices and supply chains are likely to remain noticeable for longer.' source: dpa Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.