Sees FY operating profit of 600 bln yen vs forecast 577 bln
Sees 7.5 rise in global retail sales, China up just 0.8
Q4 operating profit 90.3 mln yen vs forecast 118.2 bln

TOKYO, May 9 Reuters Japan39;s Nissan Motor expects to beat analyst estimates with a 5.5 rise in operating profit this fiscal year on higher global sales, it said on Thursday, while warning that intense competition and challenges from inflation would continue.

The Yokohamabased automaker expects only a small rise in vehicle sales in China, highlighting the difficulties it faces in the world39;s top auto market, while counting on strong growth in North America to lift its performance.

Nissan sees operating profit coming in at 600 billion yen 3.85 billion in the year that started on April 1, compared with the 577.3 billion yen average estimate from 18 analysts surveyed by LSEG.

It also expects foreign exchange moves to boost its annual results, helping to offset inflationary pressures.

Operating profit for the three months ended March 31 came to 90.3 billion yen, far short of the average estimate of 118.2 billion yen from eight analysts surveyed by LSEG.

Nissan forecast global retail sales this financial year at 3.7 million vehicles, up 7.5 from the 3.4 million sold last fiscal year.

The forecast includes an expected 13.3 rise in North American sales to 1.4 million vehicles.

In China, Nissan sees an increase of just 0.8, after sales slumped 24 last financial year to just below 800,000.

Japanese…