EV losses push Honda (NYSE: HMC) to FY 2026 net loss but 2027 profit forecast
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reported fiscal year 2026 sales revenue of JPY 21,796.6 billion, up 0.5% from the prior year, but swung to an operating loss of JPY 414.3 billion and a loss attributable to owners of the parent of JPY 423.9 billion, driven largely by EV-related losses in its Automobile business.
These EV-related impacts included over JPY 1,047.9 billion of losses and expenses in cost of sales plus additional charges in research and development and equity-method losses tied to canceled or scaled-back EV models in North America and China. Despite this, cash flows from operating activities rose sharply to JPY 1,135.2 billion, and cash and cash equivalents increased to JPY 5,118.5 billion.
Honda maintained a total annual dividend of JPY 70.00 per share for FY 2026 and forecasts FY 2027 sales revenue of JPY 23,150.0 billion, operating profit of JPY 500.0 billion, and earnings per share of JPY 66.79. The company also decided to indefinitely suspend its previously announced plan to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Ontario, Canada and announced governance changes, including a Board majority of outside directors and outside-led Nomination and Compensation Committees.
Positive
- Strong cash generation despite loss: Net cash provided by operating activities increased to JPY 1,135.2 billion, and cash and cash equivalents rose to JPY 5,118.5 billion, offering financial flexibility after a year of heavy EV-related charges.
- Return-to-profit guidance and dividend continuity: Honda maintained a total FY 2026 dividend of JPY 70.00 per share and forecasts FY 2027 operating profit of JPY 500.0 billion and earnings per share of JPY 66.79.
Negative
- Large EV-related charges and swing to loss: FY 2026 operating profit of JPY 1,213.5 billion in the prior year turned into an operating loss of JPY 414.3 billion, with loss attributable to owners of JPY 423.9 billion, mainly from EV-related impairments, disposals, and provisions.
- Pressure on balance sheet and equity ratio: While total assets rose to JPY 33,509.3 billion, equity attributable to owners fell to JPY 11,817.5 billion and the equity ratio declined from 40.1% to 35.3%.
- Strategic retreat in EV manufacturing footprint: Honda decided to indefinitely suspend its plan to build a comprehensive EV value chain in Ontario, Canada, after earlier postponement, highlighting ongoing uncertainty in its North American EV investment path.
Insights
Large EV write-offs drive a rare annual loss, but cash generation and 2027 profit targets remain intact.
Honda delivered almost flat FY 2026 sales revenue of JPY 21,796.6 billion yet posted an operating loss of JPY 414.3 billion. The main driver was substantial EV-related losses in the Automobile business, including impairment and disposal of North American and Chinese EV assets and revised product plans.
Management quantified EV-related charges across cost of sales, research and development, and equity-method losses, alongside additional provisions of JPY 667.4 billion for EV-related obligations, including an onerous alliance contract. This pushed loss attributable to owners to JPY 423.9 billion and reduced the equity ratio to 35.3% as of March 31, 2026.
Despite the loss, operating cash flow improved to JPY 1,135.2 billion and cash and cash equivalents rose to JPY 5,118.5 billion, supporting a maintained annual dividend of JPY 70.00 per share. For FY 2027, Honda guides to a return to profitability with operating profit of JPY 500.0 billion and EPS of JPY 66.79. Actual progress versus these targets, particularly in the reworked electrification strategy, will be observable in subsequent fiscal disclosures.
Honda reshapes EV strategy and governance as market conditions shift and Ontario plans are suspended.
The company detailed how slower EV demand, policy changes in the United States, and intense competition in China led to canceling or scaling back multiple EV models and joint projects. These decisions underpinned large impairments, disposals, and provisions in FY 2026 and introduce uncertainty around future supplier-related payments disclosed as a subsequent event.
Strategically, Honda indefinitely suspended its plan to establish a comprehensive EV value chain in Ontario, Canada, after previously postponing it. At the same time, it is revising governance: ensuring a Board majority of outside directors, making Nomination and Compensation Committees entirely outside directors, and appointing an outside Chair of the Board. These steps align oversight with the scale of strategic change; future company filings should show how the new Board structure steers the updated electrification roadmap and manages remaining EV-related risks.
Key Figures
Key Terms
impairment losses financial
onerous contract financial
investments accounted for using the equity method financial
Earnings Snapshot
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, Honda forecasts sales revenue of JPY 23,150.0 billion, operating profit of JPY 500.0 billion, profit for the year attributable to owners of JPY 260.0 billion, and earnings per share of JPY 66.79.