Welcome. Let us start with the briefing on SCREEN Holdings' consolidated business results for fiscal year ending in March 2026. Thank you very much for your participation despite your busy schedule. I am the master of ceremony for today, Miura from the Investor Relations, Communication Strategy Division of SCREEN Holdings. A recorded data of this event and a Q&A session will be available on our website on May 14th, please find it and for use. Today, in addition to this conference room in Japanese, we have the one in English with simultaneous interpretation into English to entertain the participants from abroad. Before the opening of the event, let me give you two notes. One is that on Teams, your cameras and microphones are disabled, and microphones will be enabled during the Q&A session.
Second, when you make a remark, please refrain from mentioning the specific name of the customer or competitors. We cannot answer the question regarding the specific situations of the specific players. I would have your kind understanding. We'll give you the instruction about the Q&A session after the presentation. Please raise your hand for questioning after the presentation. As was notified, today we'll not entertain the questions from the media. I appreciate your kind understanding. Let me introduce you today's participants. Goto, Representative Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of SCREEN Holdings.
I am Goto. Nice to see you.
Manabu Ishimura, Managing Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer.
I am Ishimura.
Chiho Otobe, Senior Executive Officer, Head of Communication Strategy.
I am Otobe. Nice to see you.
Director, Vice Chairman of the Board, Kondo will give you a remark now.
As of March 31st, I spent my past today as a CFO. I'll serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board from now on. Thank you very much for your very kind support for me. From now on, there's no change in our financial policy and direction of the company, and I am sure that Ishimura-san will succeed me as a good CFO, and I would like to have your continuous support with us. Thank you very much for your support and cooperation with me for the past 12 years when I was CFO.
Kondo will leave the room. Now, CFO Ishimura will give you the summary of the earnings and forecast. Ishimura-san, microphone is yours.
I want to explain about summary of FY 2026 earnings. This is the summary of consolidated earnings of 2026. Net sales was JPY 605.7 billion, which is -3.1% year-on-year, -JPY 19.5 billion reduction. OP income was JPY 122.5 billion, which is -9.7% year-on-year. For OP margin, we were able to have the 20.2%. It was forecasted 18.8% in January, we were able to maintain 20% of OP margin. In SPE, the sales declined and profit increased compared with the January forecast. In the first quarter, we have had record high order in SPE. For FT, equipment sales for OLED increased, and sales and profits rose year-on-year. For GA, sales grew while profit fell year-on-year. While profits were affected by U.S. tariff policies slightly, however, sales of new models are gaining momentum.
Due to this net income increase, fiscal year-end dividend raised to JPY 170. Again, this is quarterly number and full year numbers. For full year, the sales were JPY 605 and OP income is JPY 122.5 billion, OP margin 20%, and ordinary income was JPY 124.3, and net income was JPY 92 billion. Although we decreased both sales and OP, but we were able to maintain the 20% level for OP margin. This is the group sales by destination. Compared to last year, at the end of March, the China percent decreased from 42%-38%. However, instead, we have seen an increase in Taiwan. Combined sales in Taiwan and China are both 60%. Still, we focus on Taiwan and China market. This is composition of group sales by segment. Same from previous. SPE is 80.2%.
In 2025, SPE sales portion has dropped slightly. GA, FT sales increased. This is due to this increase in GA and FT. Still our focus is SPE. Here is the consolidated earnings by segment. Starting from SPE, the full year sales was JPY 486 billion, so it was -6.5% year-on-year. The OP was JPY 122 billion. This is the drop of 10.4%. For OP margin was 25.2%, so we were able to maintain 25% although sales declined. For GA, JPY 57.4 billion, so it's 8.5% increase year-on-year, and OP margin is 3.6%, which is -16.1% year-on-year. The recent sales are strong, however, we have the tariff by U.S. impact.
For FT, JPY 44.7 billion net sales, it's increased by 24.9% year-on-year. OP was JPY 8.6 billion, which increased by 181.8%. For OP, margin is 10.7%, so it has improved by more than 10% compared to last year. We had a record high profit ratio. For the net sales was 14.5%, which increased by 2.6% year-on-year. We had a fixed cost increase, so we have seen the reduction in OP. However, starting from 4Q, we have started to see the recovery in OP income. This is our financial standing. Net asset reached JPY 486 billion, so we have seen the increase in fixed asset and so on.
However, the equity ratio, we have 67.4%. We have seen the increase in this number year-over-year. Next one is the financial standing of cash flow. The full-year operating cash flow was JPY 92 billion, remained solid in 4Q, driven by profit accumulation and control of working capital. JPY 71.2 billion one year ago increased to JPY 92.7 billion in the fiscal year under review. This is R&D expenses and CapEx and depreciation. For R&D expenses, we had JPY 37.7, increased by JPY 6 billion. The CapEx slightly declined, and depreciation is now JPY 14.5, which increased slightly from JPY 12.8. The CapEx for R&D, manufacturing, IT, we had CapEx for them, and we landed within expected range. R&D, mainly attributable to SPE and landed within the expected range.
As for the analysis of operating income growth year-on-year, the decline in sales had a JPY 12.4 billion negative impact, while profitability improvement in SPE and FT had JPY 11.5 billion positive impact. The fixed cost mainly increased in SPE for growth investment, including depreciation, R&D, and personnel expenses, had a JPY 13.4 billion negative impact, while the exchange rates had JPY 1.2 billion positive impact, mainly affecting SPE and GA. This is the business focus for 2027. The annual sales is JPY 725, and the OP income will be JPY 150, and ordinary income will be JPY 150, and net income will be JPY 110. If we divide into first half and second half, we will see more, the number is higher in second half. In segments, SPE is JPY 600, and the OP income is JPY 150 C, which is 25.5% in margin.
GA is JPY 59 billion. The OP income is JPY 4.5. FT, the net sales is JPY 47, and OP income is JPY 2.5. FT, we had a very profitable customer last year, and due to drop of those customer, it's going to reduce. We have some advanced packaging in FT. From this fiscal year, PE is JPY 15.5 billion, and OP margin will be 9.7%. Incidentally, in SPE, the China memory customer, we are going to account in first half. That's our assumption for now. Next is R&D expenses, CapEx, and depreciation for five-year trend. R&D expenses, CapEx, for this fiscal year, we're expecting JPY 43 billion for both. The midterm from the investment for growth, this is the phase, so we are expecting the highest number. Depreciation is JPY 18 billion. This is our forecast.
As for the analysis of operating income growth this fiscal year, expected increase in sales will have a JPY 71.5 billion positive impact, while a decreased profitability will have a JPY 8.5 billion negative impact. SPE will be the major sales driver, but its profitability will decline somewhat at the same time due to increase in fixed cost for growth investment. The minus JPY 3.5 billion exchange rate impact will come mainly from SPE and GA. As for the SPE, our increase in post-sales overseas will expose it to the exchange rate fluctuations.
Next, about the dividend outlook. At the end of this fiscal year, JPY 170 is planned. From the announcement in January, that is the increase of JPY 13. The total is JPY 293. For the year ending March 2027, the interim dividend will be JPY 60, year-end dividend will be JPY 115. Total annual dividend will be JPY 175. This is after the split. The pre-split basis, JPY 120, JPY 230, and JPY 350 will be the figures. From the previous fiscal year, we have the increase of the dividend at a record high level. That's all from me.
Thank you very much, Ishimura-san. Next, let me invite President Goto to talk about the business environment and outlook.
This is Goto. Let me give you the presentation on the business environment and outlook. In the year ending 2027, this is the summary of the full year outlook. In overview, all segments are expected to achieve steady growth. For the whole company, as we have been talking to you, we have the first phase of the portfolio transformation in which the advanced packaging and the holdings is now consolidated into the FT. About SPE, particularly for the generative AI, we will capture the robust WFE investment so that we can enter into the further growth phase. We will outperform WFE market growth. That's how we operate this business. In our midterm management plan, we are focusing the investment for the further growth, and we'll carry out the investment into the future growth steadily.
As was announced already, in the United States., we have opened a new R&D site in Albany in New York, and held the opening ceremony. From this fiscal year, we'll start the full produce of this facility so that we can strengthen our R&D capabilities and accelerate R&D efforts. Along with the market growth, we will prepare the production capacity increase of SPE business. Next, please. This is a market trend and outlook. First, about WFE, in calendar year 2025, we expected to land at $117 billion. In calendar year 2026, approximately 15%-20% growth or around $134 billion-$140 billion is expected. As you know, recently, there are many geopolitical events taking place, so there may be some impact of them, so we have to closely monitor the situation in the market and also the geopolitical situation.
Investment trends by application. Foundry, logic, they will lead the movement. Foundry and logic will lead the growth of the market. In memory, the shortage of memory has been the issue, and AI driven DRAM and HBM investment will gain momentum with the signs of NAND recovery. We responded to the investment into them. There is some delays, but about the image devices, we see, we expect the gradual recovery so that we can be prepared for the future growth. Power device and others, mainly with the silicon carbide, there is a sign of recovery investment. Advanced packaging, toward the full-fledged introduction, investment in WLP and PLP continue at a high level. For us, this is our focus area, so we'll take measures to capture the demand.
China market, many things are talking about our China market, but investment in foundry and memory for more advanced nodes remain solid. We'll capture the demand in China market too. Next is the composition of equipment sales by application and post sales. Here, year-to-year, logic and DRAM, led by logic and DRAM, we expect increase. About the post sales, as was explained by Ishimura-san a moment ago, the record high sales was achieved. Post sales will be the basis of our business. In order to stabilize this business, we'll make the further effort. This is an area we want to grow. Next, please. This is the composition of sales by destination. As you can see here, last year-to-year, in the fourth quarter, there was a slight increase in China.
In general, mainly in Asian countries, China and Taiwan, these markets are growing now. This is the sales by application, post sales forecast. Mainly by DRAM, we see the big growth. As I mentioned a moment ago, post sales has been stable. As the growth driver of sales, memory centering on HBM will continue to drive the market. Next, the SPE composition of sales by destination forecast. This is the forecast for the first half. As for the second half, situation is uncertain, so let me talk about the first half only. For the first half, we expect a big increase in North America. Also China, South Korea, and Europe are expected to grow, and this is the current situation. About the second half, when we have the certain visibility, we'd like to make another announcement.
This is the sales trends and forecast about GA. About GA, there was an impact of U.S. tariff, which had a negative impact on the profit, but newly released models, printers, will be the main player in our business. Recurring business, including ink, has been performing very solidly. We have the two axis of the new products and recurring business so that we can sustain the secure the profitability in this business. Next is the sales trends and the forecast of FT. In this fiscal year, discrete business itself will have the slowdown compared to the previous year, but still we see the strong inquiries, so we'll capture these demands and make them into business. As I mentioned earlier, advanced package was now shifted to integrated into FT business.
The surplus production capacity of FT will have to be allocated to the advanced package business so that we can support the growth of the sales of advanced package, which we expect growth from now. Next is the sales trend of PE. Last fiscal year, we struggled with this business, but now the market is on the recovery track, and we have to capture this trend. New products were released last year, so based on these new products, we'll capture needs of the market so that we can see recovery of our sales and profit in this business. Now I want to talk about our midterm management plan, the progress of Value Up Further 2026. The midterm management plan that we are working on, the second year has finished, and we are in the third year.
This is the last year of our midterm plan. The result until second year, you can find in the middle column. The forecast for the third year, as I have already pre-planned. The three-year total target is JPY 1,956 billion and average OP margin is 20.9%. For the target of these three years, we are confident that we are going to achieve all aspects. Our main focus in midterm plan is we will just achieve the annual plan and in what kind of image we will have is our next target. This planning for new midterm management plan, we have to already make progress. Toward new phase, we want to discuss how we want to advance our company.
Here is our cash allocation. Originally, we were going to spend JPY 360 billion as the investment fund for R&D, CapEx, strategic investment, and dividends. These are four major segments, and we made plan for each of four. The accumulate, as the total for R&D is JPY 112.4 billion, CapEx is JPY 100.4 billion, and strategic investment, JPY 80 billion. Those are all within our expectation. For dividend is JPY 89 billion, actually exceeding our expectations. For next midterm plan, w e will consider how we will spend our investment fund based on this kind of result. Next, please. Here is our ESG initiatives. Just briefly, starting from involvement. SCREEN won the highest three-year rating from Shiga Biodiversity Initiative Certification for 2025. This is the highest ranking. For society or social, SCREEN is selected as a Health and Productivity Stock f or the third consecutive year.
For governance, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the board of directors, the third-party committee has made evaluations, and we want to improve further the effectiveness of our board of directors. We are going to disclose this fact in our website. These are recent group news. We have already made announcement, and I think you're already familiar, we are going to skip detailed explanation. In SCREEN Holdings, we have made this kind of news. Please refer to our website for detailed information. This is topics. As I have already explained, SCREEN selected as a Health and Productivity Stock Selection f or the third consecutive year.
We want to improve further to become a healthy and good cooperation. Again, this is our next step, the content communication. We are starting new initiatives, and we have acquired the shares in LQUOM. We will keep this kind of investment going forward. Others, the financial topics, the Intellectual Property and Intangible Asset Governance Awards, we have received for the first time, the special award we have received. Again, we are going to enhance these areas as well. Next, this is business related. We received a 72nd Okochi Memorial Production Prize. Our manufacturing effort was credited and receive award. We are going to improve our productivity further going forward. This is again, I have already explained, and we have already announced o ur first overseas R&D base, ATCA.
We have conducted opening ceremony. We have welcomed the guests from overseas and domestic to have this opening ceremony, and we are going to increase the speed of the process development going forward, utilizing this kind, this new facility. Again, this is new release about launch of Sphere D series. PE, we want to catch this good momentum in PE market with this kind of product. Next, Otobe is going to explain about these topics.
Every time we have result briefing, we announce that we are going to have a two follow-up meeting. First one in Japanese in June 11th, and second one is English in June 16th. IR team will be the speakers. We have welcomed Mr. Nakamura. We are going to welcome you by three of us. This is it for our presentation. Earlier, President Goto explained about WFE, the breakdown. We get question quite often, we want to talk about breakdown per application first before going on to Q&A session. Page 18, please. Investment trend for application in CY 26. It's 15%-20% increase year-on-year. If you look at application, 15%-20%. In case of 15%, I want to explain in the case of 15%, foundry logic, they are going to grow 20%. In memory, DRAM, 20% or slightly low, NAND is 15% or slightly less. The others are maybe 10% or less.
If we can grow by 20% in 2026, the foundry logic number will be changed. Probably 25% growth can be expected for foundry and logic. For memory, DRAM will grow by 25%. NAND, maybe not so much change from the 15% scenario, 50% or slightly less, and power and others are maybe 10% or slightly less. The gap between 20% scenario and 50% is the foundry and logic and DRAM. They are going to grow f aster, compared to the scenario of 15% growth. Thank you very much. Now we want to address questions.
First, Mr. Yoshida from CLSA Securities.
Thank you very much for this opportunity. Thank you very much for giving us the breakdown of the WFE growth. If possible, could you explain the WFE business to China? You are going to achieve, outperform the growth of WFE itself. Could you specify where are you going to, or how are you going to outperform the WFE as a whole?
Goto will answer your question.
The market in China. I think relatively a flattish situation, well, is expected rather than the big growth. Sales ratio has been flattened, so relatively, we can expect a slight decline of the portion of China. Even with that decline, we do not expect a stretch of the China market from now. How we are to perform the WFE, as you know, the advanced logic foundry are the areas we have the strength. These are the strong business segment for us. As was mentioned by Otobe-san a moment ago, in case of the 20% growth scenario, this is the area we expect a big growth. We're capturing of this market share, which we expect to outperform the industry growth.
Understood. My second question is about page 12 of the slide. You have the annual figures and also the figures for the first and second half of the year, and SPE is going to grow into the second half of the year. By application, by division, qualitative, would you give us the qualitative explanation about where you expect the further momentum into the second half of the year?
As for the order intake, we had the record high level. Now the order received are done into the sales, from the latter of the first half or into the second half. That's why we expect the greater sales or higher figures in the second half of the year. As for the specific contents, as I have been saying, as was mentioned in the market, there's a shortage of the memory, so investment by the memory manufacturers is expected in the second half of the next fiscal year. Also for the AI, the advanced logic, expect the increase of the capacity by many players. I think this will lead the growth. That's why we expect higher figures in the second half of the year.
That's all for me. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Mr. Yoshida. From Shimamoto-san from Okasan Securities, please.
Thank you very much. I am Shimamoto from Okasan. Start, first of all, SPE, how you look at SPE, it's going to grow throughout second half, and that you had sorry, JPY 600 billion forecast is maybe close to the capacity at now. If I'm wrong, please correct me. If that's the case, however, next year and onward, you're going to make new midterm plan, and you have to maybe, you want to accelerate the CapEx for new plant. If you have any forecast already, for next year or how you look at the capacity at this moment, would you please share?
Thank you for the question. Our capacity, so the capacity, sorry, well, to cover for this year, we think we are confident. Looking at the trend for next year, maybe we need additional capacity, as you said. This fiscal year, in order to prepare for market expansion, we are going to arrange in terms of our facility. Next year and onward, when market is seeing the growth, we want to make preparation in accommodating that.
Depending on preparation this year, how far can you increase the revenue for next year? How and how much demand do you forecast for next fiscal year?
Yes, our basic idea is SEMI or SEAJ, they have the long-term vision. Based on that guidance, we want to understand how much we have to grow, increase. As I said earlier, Screen is targeting outperform. We are going to have some addition on top of the guidance by those organizations.
Understood. My second question will be, well, you are seeing very strong result, however, the market share, you expect in single wafer compared to 2024 is dropping. Maybe, exchange rate is also included. If you have any explanation of this share reduction, and if you can recover the share, how much you want to recover this fiscal year, with what kind of strategy?
For market share, the number tells the fact. Last year, market share was like shown here. However, as you know, the market share is against the sales. Our POR is not taken by our competitors. Rather, the POR by competitor is growing. That's why market share declined. Last year, as our initiative, we are going to take the POR by competitor. That's what we have explained, and we have received already customer certification. We are going to secure market share. Sorry, by taking POR, we are going to increase market share. Our strength area is now growing in terms of process number. We don't know, we cannot say exactly how much %, how many %, but we are confident to recover, and we have the plan to recover. Please look at carefully what, how much, how, what kind of trend we have for our market share.
Thank you very much for your detailed answer. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Shimamoto. Next, Mr. Nakamura from Goldman Sachs.
Thank you for this opportunity. My first question is about SPE segment profitability. In the fourth quarter, OP margin was over 30%. I think it was very high level. As you explained the background of this high profitability, that in the new year you expect the growth of the sales, but OP margin is about over 25%, not so different from that of the previous year. What is the background of this?
Ishimura will answer your question.
In the fourth quarter, sales was large and deposit sales increased with high profitability. The forecasted sales in fourth quarter, we could achieve over 30%. For this fiscal year, the OP margin will be 25%, which is not so different from the previous year. It's because we have the increase of the fixed cost for the investment for the future growth and the ratio of the posted sales may decrease slightly. At this moment, these are the expectations we have for this fiscal year.
Thank you very much. My second question. The SPE achieved a record high performance in the fourth quarter. Whether you see the further increase of demand SPE, the JPY 340 billion is the expectation for the second half. 700 billion if annualized. When you expect, when you see the greater increase of demand, given the current production capacity, can you increase the sales further? Also at present, there are the shortage of the materials components due to the Middle East situation. What impact do you expect?
Goto will answer your question.
In the second half, there are JPY 340 billion of sales expected, and if there any possibility this will be increased further. Maybe we do not expect a doubling of the figure, we have the capacity to cover the expected increase from this level. Roughly to say, even if the demand will be larger by 10% or 20%, we can handle them. As for the procurement of the materials and components related to the Middle East situation, at this moment, we have secured, or we have the visibility that we can cover the demand for the materials and components.
If this situation in the Middle East takes longer to be settled, it's honestly to say we have to review our situations and come up with the measures. It's harder to see, have the clear visibility. On an everyday basis, we have the simulation of the situation and closely monitoring how the things will develop.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. I want to have question from Hirakawa from BofA Securities. Mr. Hirakawa, please unmute yourself.
I'm Hirakawa from BofA. Thank you very much. My first question is the profitability. Fixed cost will increase in fiscal year 2027 by JPY 32 billion. Fixed cost is going to increase. This is in accordance with the plan for mid-term, out of the JPY 32 billion, R&D increase only JPY 6 billion. Remaining JPY 26 billion, where are they coming from? How are you going to recover this investment in the future? This is my first question.
For fixed cost, as you mentioned, this is mainly for R&D and depreciation, also personnel cost will increase. Within that, we will see the increase of the headcount. SPE is expecting JPY 600 billion. We need to hire additional headcount in order to achieve that. Aside from that, our headcount will increase toward the growth in the future. This is the plan. Probably that explains this increase in fixed cost.
ATCA in R&D plus the CapEx, like, office rent and so on. These increase will explain. As a follow-up, R&D depreciation and field service and rent. Field service meaning personnel cost. Which one is the largest? This out of JPY 32 billion, about how many % already are decided for use? This is fixed cost and decision. Well, of course, depreciation is already decided for the past investment and ATCA, it's already decided, but for others are expenses s uch as personal expenses for field services. Looking at the situation of the Middle East, we need to advance. There are still some valuable portion, but we don't think this fixed cost will increase further than that.
Thank you very much. My second question is a s to SPE, for first half, we have shared whatever visible for the first half, and second half, when it is visible, you're going to disclose. For second half, about what part is already visible and about what part is still vague? As far as you know, can you please share the upside? I believe it's upside, right? Because of some risk, you're not going to announce the fixed number. Would you just share your feeling?
For second half, we have been already receiving inquiries, and how much is visible is not easily commented. Towards third quarter, we have already some visibilities with our familiar customers. After that, still not. That's the image we have right now.
Thank you so much.
Thank you very much.
Next, Mr. Yasui from UBS Securities.
This is Yasui from UBS Securities. I have two questions. First one is on the demand in China, and related to that, I want to see the impact of the regulations and laws. In that case, that much law is enacted, I think you may expect a big expectation. How do you evaluate the possibility of this law to be enacted, and how much impact do you expect? If you made any calculation, please advise us. This is my first question. The second is about the market share. The price hike due to the rising material products, material prices, have been introduced by the other players. The yen has been depreciated in the past three years, so you may come up with higher prices given the current situations. Would you explain us about your pricing policy?
Goto will answer your question.
First about the much regulations in China. By when, in what way this be enacted is not yet decided. Honestly to say, we do not know how the things will develop. As you mentioned, if the law is enacted, how much impact do we expect? As for the expected impact, investment toward China, I expect 10%-15% impact. That's how we see the situation now, but it is not at all certain. We are in the middle of carrying out the simulation. Through the various channels, we are trying to collect information about the divisions of the laws and the regulations. Not only us, but to all the manufacturers who are doing the business in China are the subject of the regulations.
Also through the industry associations, we will collect information, share information, and we are now studying how to deal with these expected regulations and laws in China. About your second question on the pricing, yes, we are facing the rising prices of the raw materials. We are in negotiation with customers about the pricing and trying to find a way to how we share this price increase of raw materials with the customers. Through the salespeople on everyday basis, we have the study and also negotiation with customers. Customers do not ask us to take the burden of the rising raw material prices. How we will share that price increase of the raw materials, the cost, will be studied and carried out actually.
We do not have any intention to cover all the cost increase, and also we do not expect we can pass through 100% of cost increase to the customers. Through the various negotiations, we'll work on the passing through of the cost increase.
Do you think that the price increase can contribute to the improvement of your profitability? Can you expect that range or that scale of price increase?
In the past, at the timing of the price increase of the raw materials, we had a negotiation with customers, and the new prices or higher prices were accepted by the customers. In that level, we would like to carry out the negotiation with customers to avoid the negative impact on our profitability.
Thank you very much, yes, Mr. Yasui. Tamura-s an from Morgan Stanley.
I am Tamura from Morgan Stanley. Thank you very much. Well, maybe I have to come back to the first point. The SPE order will be the record high in 4Q. What kind of change you have seen the last three months? This year and after that, you're already making pre-preparation. What kind of moving time are you seeing after 2027? Maybe it's too early, but if you have any idea, would you please share? Thank you.
Recent three months, as you know, this for AI penetration, lots of device for server and the HBM, like memory, are short. We need to increase those. That's the large trend as you already well understand. Memory companies, all of them, has announced the investment for increased production. We are seeing the growth of inquiry for last three months. Order and inquiry, we are seeing quite strong for last three months. In this situation, in order to address this situation, the conventional device, if they are used for the data center and others, the power consumption will be probably a problem. The power saving device, we are seeing some inquiry for that, and market is now changing rapidly for those product.
After 2027, in 2027, what we cannot achieve this year will be maybe delayed to next year. In terms of growth, we cannot specifically talk how far can we grow in 2027 compared to 2026. For 2027, similarly to 2026, we think we can grow at the same pace. That's our forecast.
WFE outlook, like 20% scenario and 15% scenario you have explained, and foundry logic and DRAM has the upside. If those are coming true, what kind of factors do you need?
Well, first, the situation in the world has to be settled down. Otherwise, they are not sure this kind of capacity growth will really find a consumer or customer. Our concern is geopolitical. Not only for SCREEN, but this is true for entire world. As long as we can clear those point, market needs and device needs are very, very strong. We will have the opportunity to actualize this upside, and we have no concern.
Thank you. In the same page, advanced packaging. The investment continues at high level. Looking at, like, you know, maybe the focus for this year or if there's any adoption trend can you share?
Let's see. In advanced packaging, same as entire growth. We are expecting maybe 20% or so increase. Not only advanced packaging, but in entire segment, we are looking at those level of the growth for this year.
How about the adoption of your SCREEN's equipment?
It's our new initiative. We are going to focus on this area. We have made already a lot of effort, which are already coming through. Once it's actualized, you will get the maybe reaction. Maybe in the second half of this year, you will see those reaction for your side.
Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to that.
Thank you.
Because of the time-limited, the next speaker would be the last one to ask questions. Nakanomyo-san from Jefferies , please.
You have the greater profit while they declare the decline in sales expected. What is the background of this expectation?
As mentioned before, post sales grew more than expected, and the business is highly profitable. There was also a positive inventory impact. The sales did by more than JPY 10 billion, which is quite significant. What was the reason for this? This is due to the delay shipment shifted to this fiscal year and the greater portion of post sales.
While the sales declined, I think decline of the sales was in the larger scale. Why the sales decline in such a scale?
Because there's a delay in or shift timing of the delivery.
Understood. Thank you very much. I understood.
Thank you.
Now, Fukuyama-san from Daiwa Securities.
Fukuyama from Daiwa Securities. SPE outlook, looking at that. Well, as an update from last year, the China WFE outlook says memory investment is very strong. Why did you add this sentence and which one is stronger, DRAM or NAND?
The Chinese device manufacturers, they are now very, very aggressive for memory investment. In the world, the memory is short. Chinese manufacturers are going to be very proactive for this investment. That's why we have added this sentence.
Thank you. Chinese memory. Probably, you don't have so much relationship with Chinese memory manufacturers. That's my understanding. By adding this sentence, you are seeing already this business involvement. You can have the good opportunity from this investment growth in China.
Yes, Chinese, they used to use more low, low-end, legacy node. Recently, China started to develop their AI by themselves and servers. HBM. Based on HBM, they have to make memory used for AI. In low-end memory, we were not strongly trying to sell our equipment. Based on HBM, they make now high performance memory, and we have already, we are seeing some opportunity in entering that market. This is one new trend that we are seeing right now. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. This concludes the briefings on SCREEN Holdings consolidated business results for fiscal year ending March 2026. Thank you very much for your participation to the end of the program.