DIC (4631.T), a major Japanese printing ink and pigment manufacturer, announced on the 10th that it revised its consolidated net profit forecast for the fiscal year ending December 2026 upward to ¥48 billion (approximately $303.4 million), a 48.4% increase from the previous fiscal year, up from the prior forecast of ¥33 billion (approximately $208.6 million). The revision reflects stronger-than-expected shipments of high-value-added products, buoyed by surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, and is set to mark a record high. The company raised its annual dividend forecast to ¥150 per share from ¥140. Consolidated net profit for the January-June 2026 period surged 2.84 times year-on-year to ¥37.1 billion (approximately $234.5 million), with revenue rising 13.3% year-on-year to ¥592.983 billion, driven by epoxy resins for semiconductor encapsulants. The equity ratio rose to 38.3%. The company expressed a cautious outlook for the second half, citing downside risks such as a potential decline in demand following inventory buildup and surging raw material prices. Full-year net profit is projected at ¥48 billion, an increase of roughly 50% from the previous year's ¥32.3 billion (approximately $204.2 million). The stock has recorded a year-to-date gain of 22.81%, with a "Strong Buy" technical sentiment signal and a