I think it’s relatively unambiguous as to what the dialogue will be about; it is about a prospective IPO of the entertainment businesses (as advocated by Sony’s largest shareholder) to enhance the...

Within the space of a week, Sony has gone from ruling out Loeb’s proposal, to pursuing discussions about exploring the merits of doing so.
...

The business has attempted to reinvigorate the Sony brand ever since the launch of the iPod; it hasn’t worked and instead of making drastic decisions to reduce the corporate footprint, the company...

Without those disposals, it is doubtful that the Group would have been able to provide a profitable forecast, let alone one comparable to international peers like Samsung.

The sale of prime real...

As per the forecast, the primary factors were; (i) asset sales at the end of last year (a New York skyscraper, their Osaki complex and share disposal), (ii) the over expectations performance of the...

According MCV, in the UK (generally viewed as the third largest) market, EA was the most successful publisher of 2012, ahead of Activision.

Nintendo and Microsoft placed 4th and 5th respectively....

Fortunately I happen to be in a position where I don't need to buy used copies, yet there is a substantial market of consumers who do rely on trading-in old titles to use as credit to acquire new...

I don't believe Sony is likely to go bust in the next twelve months; but the situation is becoming more precarious to the point where a seismic event is likely to occur that has deep ramifications...

It's not really a prediction of doom and gloom, more an accurate portrayal of the actual position of the Sony business utilising my background and knowledge.

If you want to talk in further detail...

You’re a bit late with the fiscal analysis, but I wouldn’t bet against a potential failure or systematic breakup of the Group in the coming years. Hence why the business was awarded junk status last...

Gross debt for the non-financial operations of Sony increased to ¥1.25trn (¥1.15trn in March), while cash & deposits decreased to ¥0.42trn (previously ¥0.72trn); Samsung’s market cap is now 20x...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/22/us-sony-panasonic-ratings-idUSBRE8AL07B20121122

Fitch has now downgraded Sony from BBB- to BB-; they are now sub-investment ('junk') grade which is...

I hate to be the sort of person that goes, but I told you so. It's a sad sight, but it underlines exactly where Sony went wrong - they appeased hardcore fans and failed to adapt to the new gaming...

In response to the thread title, I'd say that Sony used to understand gaming which is why they were such a dominant force across the globe with the PS + PS2.

Yet the market environment has...

The currency situation hasn’t helped, but there are three structural issues that have developed within Sony over the last twenty years.

Firstly Sony became complacent with its customers; the...

A price cut would help gain consumer traction, but the problem is the absence of positive advertising and the identification of a USP in a world where smartphone gaming has become entrenched. Sony...

I think we'll see a lot more in the coming years as the business consolidates its position; could easily see the business reduced to < 100k, if not more.

I think the issue isn't the volume of PS3 units Sony has sold, it’s the negligent bottom line sacrifice compounded by the capitulation of market (and mind) share to its rivals.

Sony went from a...

If the VP in marketing doesn't know the product, you have some issues.

Been away in the Alps, so apologies for the late responses.


The Financial Services, Music and Picture divisions are the only divisions (consistently) generating a profit for the Sony Group. The...

I think Nintendo were initially caught off guard, but they have taken extensive steps to refresh the brand and it's worked. I wonder what the difference will make to the quarterly figures.

Perhaps...

Major disappointment that the Game business (refer to investor call) experienced a year-on-year decline in both sales and operating income. Last year's price cut wasn't supported by a credible...

I really don't know why people have high expectations that somehow the Vita will perform exceptionally well in the western markets. Sony lacks the focus of agile competitors that have greater focus...

There are three strong positives from the results:
- Simply amazing margins and cash generation; Apple is now worth more than Greece, while the net profit for the quarter is equivalent to two thirds...

Sony is an exceptionally large corporate enterprise with a significantly broad and complicated global asset & supply chain base that employs a workforce in excess of 160,000. Restructuring and...