Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing posts 32% rise in full-year profit

By Rocky Swift TOKYO, Oct 8 (Reuters) Japan s Fast Retailing, owner of ​global clothing brand ‌Uniqlo, booked its fifth consecutive record annual profit on Thursday, as its overseas ‌growth ​overcame the effects ⁠of a ⁠weak yen at home. Operating profit amounted to 743.13 billion yen ($4.70 billion) in ​the 12 months ended August 31, up ⁠about 32% ⁠from 564.3 billion ​yen in the prior period, ​the apparel maker said ‌in a statement. That compared with the company s own forecast of 730 ⁠billion yen and the 726.45 billion yen average estimate from ⁠16 ‌analysts polled by ⁠LSEG. Fast Retailing forecast ​operating ‌profit in the ​year ending ⁠August 2027 of 830 billion yen. ($1 = 158.1400 yen) (Reporting by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Muralikumar ​Anantharaman)