Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of September, 2005
Commission File Number: 001-06439
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
7-35 KITASHINAGAWA 6-CHOME, SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Nobuyuki Oneda
(Signature)
Nobuyuki Oneda
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Date: September 22, 2005
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i) Revision of FY05 Forecast
Sony Corporation
6-7-35 Kitashinagawa
Shinagawa-ku
Tokyo 141-0001
No: 05-052E
3:00 P.M. JST
September 22, 2005
SONY ANNOUNCES REVISION OF CONSOLIDATED FORECAST
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2006
Tokyo, September 22, 2005 -- Sony Corporation announced today a
revision of its consolidated results forecast for the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2006 from those announced on July 28, 2005.
Change from
Current Forecast July Forecast July Forecast
Sales and operating
revenue Y7,250 billion Unchanged Y7,250 billion
Operating income
(loss) (20 billion) - 30 billion
(Restructuring charges
included within
operating income 140 billion +59% 88 billion)
Income before income
taxes 40 billion -43% 70 billion
Equity in net income
(loss) of affiliated
companies (8 billion) Unchanged (8 billion)
Net income (loss) (10 billion) - 10 billion
Assumed foreign currency exchange rates from the second quarter:
approximately Y107 to the U.S. dollar and approximately Y130
to the Euro.
There has been no revision to the forecast for sales and operating
revenue announced on July 28.
However, as a result of additional restructuring announced today as
part of Sony Group's mid-term corporate strategy, the forecast for
operating income (loss) has been revised downward by Y50 billion.
Excluding restructuring charges, the forecast is essentially unchanged
from the forecast as of July 28. For more information regarding
restructuring please refer to today's announcement "Sony Group Mid-Term
Corporate Strategy FY2005-FY2007."
The above forecast includes restructuring charges, recorded as
operating expenses, of approximately Y140 billion expected to be
incurred across the Sony Group, primarily within the Electronics
segment, an increase of Y52 billion from the forecast as of July 28,
2005, while Y90 billion of restructuring charges were recorded for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.
The principal reason for the increase in restructuring charges is
additional asset impairment write-downs related to CRT televisions
primarily in the U.S. and additional early retirement program expenses
particularly in Japan.
In addition to the reason described above, the revision to income
before income taxes also reflects income of approximately
Y18 billion from the sale of a portion of Sony Corporation's
shareholding in Monex Beans Holdings, Inc. announced on September 6,
2005.
Net income has been reduced for the impact of the factors noted above,
offset by the net income tax benefit of these events.
Cautionary Statement
Statements made in this release with respect to Sony's current plans,
estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future
performance of Sony. Forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, those statements using words such as "believe," "expect,"
"plans," "strategy," "prospects," "forecast," "estimate," "project,"
"anticipate," "may" or "might" and words of similar meaning in
connection with a discussion of future operations, financial
performance, events or conditions. From time to time, oral or written
forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials
released to the public. These statements are based on management's
assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently
available to it. Sony cautions you that a number of important risks
and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from
those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and therefore you
should not place undue reliance on them. You also should not rely on any
obligation of Sony to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Sony
disclaims any such obligation. Risks and uncertainties that might affect
Sony include, but are not limited to (i) the global economic environment
in which Sony operates, as well as the economic conditions in Sony's
markets, particularly levels of consumer spending; (ii) exchange rates,
particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar, the Euro and other
currencies in which Sony makes significant sales or in which Sony's
assets and liabilities are denominated; (iii) Sony's ability to continue
to design and develop and win acceptance of its products and services,
which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by continual
new product introductions, rapid development in technology and subjective
and changing consumer preferences (particularly in the Electronics, Game
and Pictures segments, and music business); (iv) Sony's ability to
implement successfully personnel reduction and other business
reorganization activities in its Electronics segment, and music business;
(v) Sony's ability to implement successfully its network strategy for its
Electronics, Pictures and Other segments, including the music business,
and to develop and implement successful sales and distribution strategies
in its Pictures segment and music business in light of the Internet and
other technological developments; (vi) Sony's continued ability to devote
sufficient resources to research and development and, with respect to
capital expenditures, to correctly prioritize investments (particularly
in the Electronics segment); (vii) shifts in customer demand for
financial services such as life insurance and Sony's ability to conduct
successful Asset Liability Management in the Financial Services segment;
and (viii) the success of Sony's joint ventures and alliances. Risks and
uncertainties also include the impact of any future events with material
unforeseen impacts.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Tokyo New York London
Takao Yuhara Justin Hill Chris Hohman/Shinji Tomita
+81-(0)3-5448-2180 +1-212-833-6722 +44-(0)20-7444-9713
Home Page: http://www.sony.net/IR/