CERES INC. Announces Business Transfer

Source disclosure: February 24, 2026

CERES INC. [3696.T]

TOKYO — Ceres Inc., represented by President Satoshi Toki, announced on Friday that its board of directors has resolved to propose a dividend distribution plan based on December 31, 2025, to be discussed at the company's 21st ordinary shareholders' meeting scheduled for March 30, 2026.

The proposed dividend includes an allocation of ¥923 million, representing ¥80 per share, compared to the previous year's actual payout of ¥690 million or ¥60 per share. The effective date for this new dividend is set for March 31, 2026. This decision follows the company’s commitment to maintaining a healthy financial structure while balancing internal reserves necessary for future business expansion and shareholder returns.

Ceres Inc. views the continuous growth of enterprise value and the return of profits to shareholders as critical components of its management strategy. To support sustainable business investment and ensure long-term stability, the company aims to maintain a balanced approach between retaining earnings internally and distributing dividends. For the fiscal year ending December 2025, apart from the regular dividend of ¥60 per share, the company will also distribute a special dividend of ¥20 per share due to gains realized from the sale of all shares held in its subsidiary Yumemi Co., Ltd. in May 2025. As a result, the total annual dividend per share will amount to ¥80.

This strategic move reflects Ceres Inc.'s ongoing efforts to enhance shareholder value through both operational performance and prudent financial planning. The breakdown of the annual dividend shows a significant increase from the previous year, with the current period expected to see no interim dividend, followed by the full-year dividend of ¥80 per share, which includes the special dividend component. In contrast, the prior year had seen a combined dividend of ¥60 per share, including a commemorative dividend of ¥20 per share.

AI-translated content. 🟡 Confidence: Standard See terms •