. Earth Science News .




.
TRADE WARS
Sony forecasts $1.15 bn annual loss
by Staff Writers
Tokyo (AFP) Nov 2, 2011


Japanese electronics giant Sony on Wednesday said it now expected a heavy full-year loss of $1.15 billion as it reels from the impact of a strong yen, weak TV sales and severe flooding in Thailand.

Sony's projected annual net loss of 90 billion yen ($1.15 billion) reversed a forecast in July that called for a 60 billion yen net profit, after the company slumped to a first-half net loss.

The Tokyo-based maker of PlayStation consoles and Bravia television sets has been struggling under the weight of a strong yen, while wrestling with the aftermath of the March earthquake and now Thailand's floods which have dented its production there.

The company's loss-making television business remains a burden amid fierce competition from rivals such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics and falling prices in the liquid crystal display market.

A slowdown in demand in the United States, Japan and Europe has further squeezed profit margins and put the television industry under renewed pressure.

Sony said that six month sales in its consumer products and services segment that includes TVs, personal computers and its PlayStation gaming system were hit by lower demand.

It posted a first-half net loss of 42.5 billion yen compared to net income of 56.9 billion yen in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Operating profit plunged 81 percent to 25.9 billion yen.

In the second quarter alone, Sony slumped to a net loss of 27 billion yen compared to a 31.1 billion yen profit in the same period a year earlier.

For the full year, Sony forecast sales of 6.5 trillion yen, down nearly 10 percent from its July forecast, while revising operating profit 90 percent lower to 20 billion yen.

A massive data breach forced Sony to shut down its PlayStation Network and Qriocity services in April with more than 100 million customer accounts compromised, in a crisis that quickly followed the March disaster.

The firm was forced to shutter plants in Japan after the quake and tsunami battered supply chains, damaged facilities and dampened consumer demand.

On Wednesday, it said the flooding in Thailand presented similar problems, with its business operations hit by "direct damage from inundation of Sonys manufacturing facilities and difficulty in procuring parts and components resulting from the Floods".

Production at several manufacturing facilities has been stopped, while it has been forced to postpone certain product launches.

While Japanese firms have been seen to stage a quicker-than-expected recovery from the twin disasters, the rise of the yen has hurt exporters, eroding repatriated overseas earnings.

The unit has risen against the euro amid global economic worries, and on Monday hit its highest level since World War II against the dollar, prompting Japanese authorities to conduct their fourth intervention in just over a year.

Sony now faces its fourth consecutive year in the red after suffering a net loss of $3.2 billion in the year ended March, despite having forecast a return to the black this year.

As it looks to boost profitability, Sony said last week it would buy out its Swedish partner Ericsson's 50 percent stake in their mobile phone joint venture, giving it full control over its increasingly vital handset business.

By taking full control, Sony can integrate its smartphone operation with its tablet, hand-held game console and personal computer businesses to save on costs and better synchronise development of mobile devices.

The move comes as Sony's competitors such as Apple and Samsung forge ahead with closely coupled strategies for smartphones and tablet computers.

The March earthquake hit after the electronics and entertainment giant underwent a major restructuring under chairman Howard Stringer -- slashing thousands of jobs, selling facilities and turning to suppliers for parts -- after seeing losses pile up as the financial crisis hit demand.

Related Links
Global Trade News




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries




.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



TRADE WARS
Japan's Hitachi half-year net profit down 67.8%
Tokyo (AFP) Nov 1, 2011
Japanese high-tech firm Hitachi on Tuesday said its net profit fell 67.8 percent in the six months to September, hit by the impact of the March earthquake and a strong yen. Hitachi's net profit came to 50.9 billion yen ($652 million) in the April-September first half, which was still slightly higher than a recently upgraded profit forecast of 50.0 billion yen. Operating profit fell 21.8 perc ... read more


TRADE WARS
Lawyers launch Fukushima compensation team

Turkey quake toll nears 600 as search efforts wind down

Teenager saved days after Turkey quake as toll reaches 550

Nuclear pollution of sea from Fukushima was world's biggest

TRADE WARS
Google expands online bookstore to Canada

Spin lasers in the fast lane

An important aspect of structural design of super-tall buildings and structures

Tech-obsessed Koreans drive smartphone boom

TRADE WARS
US watchdog slams Iraq sewage plant efforts

Experts recommend the inclusion of rainwater-collection systems in cities

Bangladesh to set up dolphin sanctuaries

600 activists clear huge Brazilian dam site

TRADE WARS
Scientists Predict Faster Retreat for Antarctic Thwaites Glacier

Extreme Melting on Greenland Ice Sheet

China's glaciers in meltdown mode: study

Glaciers in China shrinking with warming

TRADE WARS
Uruguay livestock numbers hit historic low

Farming debates said not helping Africa

Cuba eases curbs to boost food output

Food Chemical Regulations Rely Heavily on Industry Self-Policing and Lack Transparency

TRADE WARS
Boy rescued after 108 hours under Turkey quake rubble

Anger rises in flooded Bangkok as centre stays dry

Storm Rina deflates as it sweeps past Mexico's Cancun

Thai floods creep closer to central Bangkok

TRADE WARS
Kenyan raid kills three civilians in southern Somalia

700 protest over war pensions in Mozambique

US troops to advise front-line units on Uganda rebels

France denies Somali bombardment, admits helping Kenya

TRADE WARS
Cheers, fears as world population hits seven billion

Brain imaging study: A step toward true dream reading

Altitude sickness worst in northern India

Governments must plan for migration in response to climate change


.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2011 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement