Nissan reports operating profit nearly doubles in last three months of 2014

(February 9, 2015) Nissan reported today that its operating profit nearly doubled in the automaker's latest quarter, fueled by a favorable exchange rate and robust sales in North America, its top market. Operating profit climbed to 155.97 billion yen ($1.3 billion) in the October-December fiscal third quarter, from 78.74 billion yen ($656.2 million) a year earlier.

Net income rose 21 percent to 101.81 billion yen ($848.9 million), the company said today in a statement.

Global sales advanced 1.6 percent to 1.254 million vehicles, as revenue increased 17 percent to 2.944 trillion yen ($24.55 billion). Like other Japanese automakers, Nissan benefited from surging demand in North America and a weakening yen, which aids exports and boosts the yen-denominated value of overseas earnings.

Sales in North America rose 8.9 percent to 441,000 vehicles in the three months. European volume advanced 23 percent to 200,000 units but Japan sales fell 16 percent to 126,000 vehicles, and business in China declined 12 percent.

Sources: Automotive News, Nissan Motor Co.