Recruit Holdings and Seria both raise earnings forecasts

Recruit Holdings has upwardly revised its full-year earnings forecast following record-breaking first-quarter results. The company reported revenue of 1.0453 trillion yen and EBITDA+S of 292.8 billion yen, both marking quarterly highs. This growth is primarily driven by its HR Technology segment, specifically through the evolving monetization of Indeed in the United States and Europe via Premium Sponsored Jobs.

However, the company disclosed that its temporary staffing business in Japan was subject to an on-site inspection by the Japan Fair Trade Commission in June 2026 regarding potential antitrust violations. While the company is cooperating, the financial impact is currently difficult to estimate and has not been factored into the revised forecasts.

Separately, the retail company Seria has also raised its profit forecasts, projecting record highs for both the first half and full fiscal year. The company reported a 48.7% year-on-year increase in operating profit for the first quarter, attributed to rising customer numbers and the popularity of low-cost items, such as collectible stickers, which have seen high demand among both young and adult demographics.