Kirin buys Canadian supplement giant, raises outlook, and rides beer tax cut
Kirin to buy Canadian supplement giant Jamieson for ~¥218bn Kirin will acquire all of Jamieson Wellness, Canada's big supplement maker, for about 218 billion yen. This adds a North American base in the world's largest supplement market, building on Blackmores and Fancl to strengthen health as a long-term growth engine. The deal needs shareholder and court approval, so it is not yet final.
This is the period's biggest strategic move and directly supports Kirin's health-business growth story.
Kirin lifts full-year forecast on record revenue Kirin raised its full-year forecast after interim revenue hit a record, with health, medical, beer and soft drinks all selling more and earning more. That broad-based profit growth tells investors the core businesses are healthy, which supports the share price.
A raised forecast is a direct, company-specific signal of improving earnings power.
October beer tax cut lowers Kirin Ichiban price From October, Japan unified beer taxes: regular beer gets about 9 yen cheaper per 350ml can, while cheaper happoshu and third-category beers get about 7 yen pricier. Kirin's flagship Ichiban Shibori drops from roughly 237 to 228 yen, which should pull drinkers back to beer and help Kirin's main product.
The tax change directly improves the price competitiveness of Kirin's biggest beer brand.
Kirin's Hyoketsu taps fast-growing US RTD market Americans are drinking less beer and wine but more ready-to-drink canned cocktails, a market growing 14% a year to about $22bn. Kirin has sold Hyoketsu in some US regions since March, joining Suntory and Asahi. Competition is intense, but the trend gives Kirin a new overseas growth channel.
It shows a new demand driver abroad for Kirin's drinks business.