Group Organic Growth Slightly Above Guidance
Full-year organic growth of 0.5%, modestly above the 'broadly flat' guidance announced in November; Q4 organic growth 0.9% indicating sequential positive momentum.
Japan Business Strong — Record Net Revenue and Operating Profit
Japan achieved organic growth of 6.2%, delivered record-high net revenue and underlying operating profit; Japan operating margin 24.4% (flat year-on-year). Internet Media showed double-digit turnover growth for 8 consecutive quarters; BX and DX also reported strong growth.
Consolidated Top-line and Underlying Profitability
Consolidated net revenue increased 0.3% year-on-year to ~JPY 1.2 trillion; underlying operating profit decreased 2.1% to JPY 172.5 billion but underlying operating margin of 14.4% exceeded the upgraded 13% guidance.
Improved Profitability in Americas and Cost Controls
Americas operating margin rose to 22.9% (up ~40 bps year-on-year) despite full-year organic decline of ~3%; SG&A in Americas reduced ~3% on a constant-currency basis through cost controls.
International Positive Operating Cash Flow and Cost Savings Program
International business returned to positive operating cash flow in FY2025. Rebuilding efforts: JPY 20 billion one-off costs yielded JPY 14 billion savings in FY25; headcount reductions (2,100 of planned 3,400) and planned additional JPY 28 billion savings in FY26 (total JPY 42 billion) and target of ~JPY 50 billion annual savings by 2027.
Investments in Data, Technology and AI
Invested JPY 8 billion in data and tech (dentsu.Connect, AI tooling) in FY25; up to JPY 14 billion planned in FY26 to strengthen media and AI capabilities; AI-driven advertising solution expanded with Siemens to 150+ countries.
Client Wins and Industry Recognition
New client wins and expansions include Samsung Electronics Japan, BJ's Wholesale Club (media expansion), Esselunga, Fastweb and expanded Vodafone work. Dentsu Creative NY won Grand Prix at The Drum Awards; Dentsu Taiwan won ~200 awards; CXM named a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience services (2nd consecutive year).
FY2026 Guidance and Return to Statutory Profitability
FY26 guidance: group organic growth 0%–1%; Japan 2%–3%; international broadly flat; expected operating margin ~13% range. Statutory return to profitability forecasted: operating profit JPY 152.6 billion and net profit JPY 69.7 billion.