UNIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) recorded a 9-percent drop in net income in 2025 to P11.6 billion on Friday, blaming the decline on elevated coffee input costs and weaker foreign exchange.
Separately, the company also announced that it would be selling an additional 21-percent stake in its joint venture with Nissin Foods Asia Co. Ltd., which would give its Japanese partner a controlling 70 percent of Nissin Universal Robina Corp. once the transaction is completed.
In a financial report, the company said core net income attributable to the parent declined 4 percent to P11.0 billion.
Sales, however, rose 4 percent to P168.0 billion, driven by volume growth across businesses and improvements in execution, but prolonged high coffee costs weighed on operating income, which slipped 4 percent to P16.0 billion.
Excluding the coffee segment, the company said it “delivered high single-digit operating income growth, supported by sustained category volumes, scale and cost efficiency in its international operations and tighter execution discipline.”
The company’s board approved a cash dividend of P2.10 per share for shareholders on record as of April 10, up 5 percent from the previous year, payable on May 7.
By segment, sales from branded consumer foods rose 5 percent to P115.0 billion, with Philippine operations growing at the same rate to P79.0 billion on sustained volume growth and improved in-store execution, while international sales increased 4 percent to P36.0 billion.
The agro-industrial and commodities segment posted sales of P53.0 billion, up 2 percent, reflecting softer feeds revenues due to a smaller hog population and lower sugar prices, partly offset by stronger flour volumes.
Universal Robina President and CEO Irwin Lee said that 2025 “was a year of resilient execution. We stayed focused on our core and kept building the capabilities to grow faster than the market.”
He added that the company expected stronger margins and improved returns once coffee input costs normalize.
Meanwhile, Universal Robina said the transaction with Nissin Foods wa scheduled for completion on Jan. 7, 2027.
The Nissin-Universal Robina joint venture manufactures and sells instant noodles in the Philippines, with the Gokongwei-led firm currently holding a 51-percent majority stake and Nissin holding 49 percent. Once the deal closes, Nissin will have a 70-percent controlling interest.
The deal remains subject to approval from the Philippine Competition Commission and other customary closing requirements.
The transaction, approved by Universal Robina’s board on March 13, seeks to strengthen the joint venture by leveraging Nissin’s global expertise in product innovation and brand-building while Universal Robina continues to manage local operations and distribution.
Consideration for the stake sale will be finalized in December 2026 and paid “upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent.”
Universal Robina shares on Friday shed P1.10, or 1.58 percent, to close at P68.50 each.