In the past year, mobile sales rose 11 percent to JPY 1.32 billion, while the operating result was a loss of JPY 220.4 billion, mainly due to a goodwill impairment of JPY 176 billion as well as the stronger US dollar. In the last quarter to March, mobile revenues were up 1.2 percent year-on-year to JPY 27.16 billion (or +5% at constant currencies), while the operating loss widened to JPY 55 billion from JPY 15 billion. Smartphone unit sales were unchanged over the full year at 39.1 million and fell to 7.9 million in the fourth quarter form 8.8 million a year ago.
Sony forecast mobile sales to fall around 7 percent this year to JPY 1.31 trillion, as it scales back its mid-range phones to concentrate on more profitable models. Unit sales will drop to an estimated 30 million, while the operating loss should reduce to JPY 39 billion, thanks in part to restructuring.
For the group results, Sony forecast a drop of 3.8 percent in revenues for the year to March 2016, amid lower results at almost all divisions, apart from Devices and Pictures. A reduction in one-time goodwill and restructuring costs should help operating profit increase nearly five-fold to JPY 320 billion from JPY 68.5 billion last year. The net result this year is estimated at a profit of JPY 140 billion versus a loss of JPY 126 billion last year.
