Most companies listed in the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange have announced their performance for the 2007 business year ended March 31, and they show an increase in aggregate ordinary profit for the sixth consecutive year.

Still, clouds hang over their prospects since most industries expect a decline in profit for the current business year ending next March 31, the first drop in seven years.

According to Shinko Research Institute, aggregate ordinary corporate profit, except for financial firms, in the 2007 business year rose by 4.6 percent from the previous business year.