Even though Japan’s Fast Retailing, the company that owns Uniqlo, is expected to post another quarter of strong earnings, the focus will be on how the global apparel retailer manages a trade scenario that has been thrown into upheaval by new US tariffs.
According to the LSEG consensus projection, which was compiled from six analysts, Fast Retailing is anticipated to report an operating profit increase of 14 per cent to US $ 866 million in the three months through February compared to a year earlier.
That would nearly double the first quarter’s 7.4 per cent profit growth and set a second quarter record.
US President Trump stated that while taxes on Chinese goods will go to 104 per cent, Japan will be subject to a reciprocal duty of 24 per cent on non-auto imports.
Since Trump unveiled his tariff plan this month, Fast Retailing’s stock has dropped more than 4 per cent. After increasing by almost 50 per cent last year, they are down 19 per cent in 2025.
In the fiscal year ending August, Fast Retailing anticipates operating profit to reach US $ 3.5 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year of record earnings.
A recent spike in duty-free shopping during Japan’s tourism boom, which is being spurred by a weakening yen, has helped domestic sales.
