Nissan Motor Co. reported a 26.6 percent jump in October-December profit Friday and kept its full year forecasts unchanged as strong sales appeared to quell looming worries about a U.S. slowdown and an unfavorably strong yen.
Consolidated net profit at Nissan, which has an alliance with Renault SA of France, rose to ¥132.22 billion for the third business quarter from ¥104.46 billion in the same period the previous year.
Quarterly sales climbed 18.2 percent to ¥2.77 trillion, helped by brisk sales of the Rogue crossover vehicle in the United States.
Earnings were in line with forecasts, but its bottom line could be endangered in coming months amid worries about slower U.S. consumer spending, the company said.
Also, a weaker dollar, which has dropped recently to about ¥106 from ¥114 last year, could eat into foreign revenue.
But so far demand for Nissan vehicles has remained strong in the U.S. and in emerging markets, including the Middle East, China and Russia. Even in the domestic market, the company boosted its market share, it said.
"Despite the head winds that affect our industry, Nissan has benefited from the success of the new products launched during the past 12 months," said Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, who also heads Renault.