ASICS (TYO:7936) raised its full-year outlook after strong demand across its SportStyle and Performance Running businesses helped drive record first-half sales and operating profit, with growth accelerating particularly in Europe and North America.

The Japanese sportswear maker posted a 33% increase in net sales to 534.5 billion yen and a 53% rise in profit attributable to owners of the parent to 82.2 billion yen, according to a Friday earnings release.

Operating profit jumped 49% to 120.5 billion yen.

The company's strongest growth came from SportStyle, where sales surged 83% to 123.2 billion yen and category profit more than doubled to 41.9 billion yen.

North America and Europe led the expansion, while the category's profit margin improved to 34% from 30.7%.

Performance Running, ASICS' largest category, also continued to expand, with sales rising 19.3% to 220.7 billion yen as demand for higher-end products remained strong, particularly in Europe.

Onitsuka Tiger sales increased 36% to 89.5 billion yen, supported by double-digit growth across all regions and strong inbound demand in Japan.

Regionally, Europe was the standout, with sales rising 46% and segment profit increasing 63%, while North American sales climbed 28.1% and segment profit jumped 86%.

Southeast and South Asia also recorded strong growth, with sales up 34% and segment profit rising 40%.

Against this backdrop, ASICS raised its full-year sales forecast to 1.05 trillion yen from 950 billion yen and its operating profit forecast to 195 billion yen from 171 billion yen.

It also lifted its forecast for profit attributable to owners of the parent to 120 billion yen from 110 billion yen, saying the revisions reflected strong first-half performance and robust market momentum.

The company also raised its annual dividend forecast to 44 yen a share from 38 yen.

ASICS plans to spin off its Onitsuka Tiger business into a separate company in 2027, to give the brand greater independence and establish it as a more refined luxury lifestyle brand.