Another major optical manufacturer has given an indication of improvement in the global lens market, with Hoya announcing a sustained increase in both its net sales and operating income since April 2009.
As part of its third-quarter financial results for the period ending December 31, 2009, Hoya revealed that sales for its vision care business, which produces ophthalmic lenses, were ¥25,440m for the quarter, up 2.5 per cent from the same period in 2008. Operating income was ¥5,315m, up 10.9 per cent from the previous year.
Sales for Hoya's health care business, which produces contact lenses, increased 10.6 per cent to ¥13,670m and operating income increased 12.8 per cent, to ¥3,401m.
While the company's overall net income for the quarter was down 6.5 per cent to ¥11.7bn, compared to the same period in 2008, Hoya said that the third quarter had witnessed sustained recovery in orders.
'In this anaemic economy, the good news is that there is an increase in orders,' said Hiroshi Suzuki, chief executive officer of Hoya.
Hoya's announcement follows positive third-quarter results from Shamir (News 4.12.09) and Essilor (News 30.10.09).