SoftBank Group (TYO:9984) returned to the black with a profit attributable to owners of the parent of 636.2 billion yen in the nine months ended Dec. 31, from a loss of 458.7 billion yen a year ago.

The investment holding company returned to profitability mainly due to the significant gains on investments in Investment Business of Holding Companies and SoftBank Vision Funds.

These gains offset the derivative loss that arose from a loss relating to prepaid forward contracts using Alibaba shares.

The company said earnings per share rose to 425.30 yen from a loss of 328.78 yen a year ago, according to a Tokyo Stock Exchange filing on Wednesday.

Net sales grew 6.0% to 5.303 trillion yen from 5.002 trillion yen a year earlier.

The company does not provide earnings forecasts for the fiscal year ending March 31, citing market uncertainties.

It expects to pay a year-end dividend of 22 yen per share, bringing the total dividend for the fiscal year to 44 yen per share.

SoftBank Group's shares gained nearly 4% at market close.

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