Sojitz Corp.'s metals and coal segment recorded a profit attributable to shareholders of ¥15.06 billion for the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2017, up ¥10.44 billion from a year ago.
The increase was attributed to higher sales prices for coal and an increase in the share of profit from investments in steel business and other companies.
The segment's net sales increased 30.1% year over year to ¥410.96 billion on the back of higher prices and sales volumes for coal and other resources.
The group's profit totaled ¥44.77 billion in the period, rising 48.8% year on year.
The company revised the dividend forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, to ¥11 per share, from ¥10 per share previously.
The fiscal 2017 net profit forecast was revised to ¥56.0 billion, a 12% increase over the previous forecast, thanks to higher commodity prices and other factors. Its profit in fiscal 2016 was ¥40.76 billion.
