Source: Oriental Image/Ling
[Saba Sports News] On June 19, the share price of Japanese sports brand YONEX reached its highest level in the past year, closing at 1,910 yen per share. On the morning of June 20, YONEX’s stock price continued to rise, opening at 2,026 yen per share. The capital market appears very optimistic about YONEX’s future prospects. In the 2024 fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, YONEX reported a revenue of 116.4 billion yen, an 8.8% year-on-year increase, and an operating profit of 11.6 billion yen, a 15.4% year-on-year increase. According to YONEX’s official website, about 70% of the world’s professional badminton players use YONEX products, making it the world’s largest badminton equipment manufacturer. Notable former YONEX athletes include Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, Taufik Hidayat, and Peter Gade. YONEX places significant importance on overseas markets, having entered the Chinese market through agents in 2002 and debuting at the China International Import Expo in 2023. While YONEX initially focused on badminton products, it has diversified over the past five years. In the most recent fiscal year, badminton products accounted for about 60% of YONEX’s business, with the rest divided between tennis and golf. Some fans note that badminton has a smaller global audience compared to sports like tennis, football, and basketball, and is primarily popular in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Additionally, badminton lacks globally renowned events such as the Grand Slams, World Cup, and NBA, which limits its market potential.