Nissan's Q2 operating profit tumbles as US emission costs weigh

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Nissan 7201.T said on Wednesday its operating profit was nearly wiped out in the second quarter, as a benefit from lower US emissions-related expenses dropped out and an earthquake in southern Japan disrupted operations.

Operating profit for the July-September quarter slumped 96% from a year earlier to just 2.1 billion yen ($13.23 million), versus a median forecast of 60.1 billion in a poll of eight analysts surveyed by LSEG.

Despite the steep drop, Nissan retained its full-year operating profit forecast of 200 billion yen, citing momentum in Japan and North America, while China remains challenging.

The automaker also booked a net loss for the first half of the financial year, and faces a tough task in reversing a prolonged decline in global sales after years of scandal and management turmoil.

CEO Ivan Espinosa, who took the helm in April 2025, has cut jobs, manufacturing capacity and the number of models in Nissan's lineup as part of a push to restore profitability.

($1=158.7400 yen)