■AIAI Group ＜6557＞ Growth Strategy

3. Shareholder return policy

Profit returns to shareholders are currently in the process of growth, and we believe that actively making capital investments and strengthening financial positions for business expansion will lead to maximum return of profits to shareholders. For this reason, dividends have not been implemented since the company was founded, and it is said that this policy will continue for the time being. In the future, it is our policy to consider return of profits to shareholders while taking into account management results and financial conditions for each business year, but the possibility of implementing dividends and the timing of implementation etc. are undecided at this time.

Meanwhile, in 2024/7, a stock split and the introduction of a shareholder benefit system were announced for the purpose of improving the liquidity of the company's shares and expanding the investor base. As for the stock split, 1 share was split into 2 shares as of 10/1. The shareholder benefit program presents 15,000 yen worth of QUO cards or digital gifts to shareholders holding 300 shares (unit shares) or more of the company's shares as of the end of March and the end of September every year. It was implemented from the end of 2024/9.

Furthermore, since the tradable share ratio does not conform to the growth market listing maintenance standards as of 2024/3/31, the company is promoting efforts aimed at complying with listing maintenance standards by implementing the growth strategy set out in the medium-term management plan, etc. with the end of 2026/3 as the planning period. The exercise of the 8th Stock Acquisition Rights was completed in 2024/7 (third party allotment, 180,000 shares issued).

sustainability management

4. sustainability management

As an initiative for sustainability management, we are contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through business, such as providing high-quality childcare, contributing to regional childcare needs, promoting the active participation of women, realizing diverse work styles, and reducing environmental impact by improving work efficiency and promoting paperless work, based on “solving the population problem,” which is the group vision. Going forward, it is our policy to continue to focus on improving non-financial value along with improving financial value.

Expect a new stage of growth due to the accelerated deployment of AIAI PLUS and AIAI VISIT

5. An Analyst's Perspective

The company exceeded the operating profit target (300 to 500 million yen) for the fiscal year ending 2026/3 set out in the medium-term management plan 2023-2025 for the fiscal year ending 2024/3. It has been confirmed that we have entered a stable profit phase based on AIAI NURSERY, and we highly value this point. It seems that the speed of establishing new AIAI NURSERY facilities will slow down in the future, but on the other hand, it is a policy to respond to changes in the business environment such as an increase in children with disabilities, develop AIAI PLUS as a pillar of growth second only to AIAI NURSERY, and expand AIAI VISIT in earnest as a new business model. We believe that the company is expected to enter a new stage of growth due to the acceleration of the deployment of AIAI PLUS and AIAI VISIT, which have high market competitiveness, and further improved synergy between businesses through the “AIAI Saniku Zone.”

(Author: FISCO Visiting Analyst Masashi Mizuta Exhibition)