TOKYO – Omron Corp. reported net sales rose 9.2% year-over-year to $5.2 billion for the nine-month period ended Dec. 31, backed by strong sales of electronic components and car electronics.

Net income increased 6.7% year-over-year to $272.2 million.

Capital investment in the semiconductor and electronic components industries weakened in comparison with the same period the previous year, but sales of factory automation control systems – Omron Group’s core business – were generally firm, the company says. Sales of automotive electronic components expanded in line with car electronics demands.

For the current quarter, Omron said markets are expected to be weak as a result of restrained capital investment, primarily among semiconductor and LCD manufacturers. The market for consumer and commerce components for IT and digital related products in Japan is expected to remain difficult to predict in the March quarter. Sales of automotive electronic components are projected to continue expanding, reflecting increasing needs for car electronics.

Omron expects net sales below original projections for the full year as a result of lower-than-expected demand for domestic private-sector investment.