Bandai Co Ltd, the Japanese toy maker responsible for inflicting Tamagotchi virtual pets on the world, has seen its first half net profits more than double as a direct result of this pestilential plague. Net profits for the six months to September 30 were up 104% at the equivalent of $21.3m on revenue that rose 71.5% to $571.9m. Bandai said that sales of Tamagotchi, which at their height were responsible for 15% of Taiwan’s entire semiconductor fabrication capacity, were now starting to tail off. Just one million units per month are currently being sold compared to former levels of three million plus. Bandai is therefore planning a new generation of the toy, to be launched just in time for the Christmas frenzy. Forecast net profits for the full year to March 31 are $36.5m on an estimated revenue of $1,126m. The interim dividend rose 50% to $0.12.
