a6361427.htm
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 July 2010
Commission File Number: 001-06439

SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, 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/  Masaru Kato
 
                (Signature)
 
Masaru Kato
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: July 16, 2010

List of materials

Documents attached hereto:
 
i) Press release entitled Sony Ericsson reports second quarter 2010 results

 
 

 
 
Logo
 
 
 PRESS RELEASE  July 16, 2010
 
 
Sony Ericsson reports second quarter 2010 results

Q2 Highlights:
·  
Income before taxes excl. restructuring charges increases to Euro 63 million
·  
Positive cash flow generated from operating activities
·  
ASP rises to Euro 160

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010 is as follows:

      Q2 2009       Q1 2010       Q2 2010  
Number of units shipped (million)
    13.8       10.5       11.0  
Sales (Euro m.)
    1,684       1,405       1,757  
Gross margin (%)
    12 %     31 %     28 %
Operating income (Euro m.)
    -274       20       36  
Operating margin (%)
    -16 %     1 %     2 %
   Restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    1       3       32  
   Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    -274       23       68  
   Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)
    -16 %     2 %     4 %
Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)
    -283       18       31  
   IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    -283       21       63  
Net income (Euro m.)
    -213       21       12  
                         
Average selling price (Euro)
    122       134       160  


Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson commented, “Our second quarter results show that the company continued the momentum seen in the first quarter as a result of our focus on the value market and the success of new smartphones; Xperia™ X10 and Vivaz™, launched during the first quarter. These models, along with the Xperia™ X10 mini and Xperia™ X10 mini pro which started shipping at the end of the second quarter, have been well received by operators and we are now well positioned for long term growth.”
 
Sales for the quarter were Euro 1,757 million, a 25% increase sequentially and a 4% increase year-on-year.  Units shipped in the quarter were 11 million, a 5% increase sequentially and a 20% decrease year-on-year due to the reduction in size of the product portfolio. Average selling price (ASP) increased 19% sequentially and 31% year-on-year to Euro 160 during the quarter due to improved product and geographical mix, as well as positive currency effects.

Income before taxes for the quarter excluding restructuring charges was a profit of Euro 63 million, illustrating the positive impact of the cost reduction programme and favourable product mix.

The transformation programme, which started in mid-2008 is now in its final stages and on target to reduce annual operating expenses by Euro 880 million by the end of the year.  Since the start of the program Sony Ericsson has reduced its global workforce by approximately 4,000 people to reach a total workforce of approximately 7,800 by June 30, 2010. The total restructuring charges taken to date for the programme are Euro 374 million.


 
 

 
As of June 30, 2010 Sony Ericsson retained a net cash position of Euro 609 million, an increase of Euro 46 million sequentially mainly due to operating results, tight financial management of working capital, as well as positive currency effects.

Market share in unit base for the quarter remained flat and is estimated to be around 4%.
 
Sony Ericsson maintains a forecast of slight growth in units in the global handset market in 2010.

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.
Vivaz™ and XPERIA™ are trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.
Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is a registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.
Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved and subject to change without prior notice.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Financial statements and additional information:

Financial statements:

Consolidated income statement
Consolidated income statement – isolated quarters
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

Additional information:

Net sales by market area by quarter

Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in all major markets.  Sony Ericsson vision is to become the industry leader in Communication Entertainment; where new styles of communicating through the internet and social media, become entertainment.  Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through phones, accessories, content and applications.  For more information please visit, www.sonyericsson.com.  
 
 
- ENDS -
 
CONTACTS:
 
 
Ericsson investor relations                                                                           
Susanne Andersson (Stockholm) +46 10 719 4631
Andreas Hedemyr (Stockholm) +46 10 714 3748

Sony investor relations                                                                                                           
Gen Tsuchikawa (Tokyo) +81 3 6748 2111
Yas Hasegawa (London) +44 20 7426 8696 

Press / Media
Sony Ericsson global communications and PR
Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860
Merran Wrigley (London) +44 20 8762 5862

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  Sony Ericsson has identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of risk factors see Sony's and Ericsson's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly each company's latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

   
Apr-Jun
   
Jan-Jun
 
EUR million
 
2009
   
2010
   
Change
   
2009
   
2010
   
Change
 
                                     
Net sales
  1,684     1,757     4 %   3,419     3,162     -8 %
Cost of sales
  -1,483     -1,266     -15 %   -3,074     -2,241     -27 %
Gross profit
  200     492     146 %   346     921     167 %
Gross margin %
  11.9 %   28.0 %         10.1 %   29.1 %      
                                     
Research and development expenses
  -245     -218     -11 %   -548     -434     -21 %
Selling and administrative expenses
  -235     -245     4 %   -460     -452     -2 %
Operating expenses
  -480     -463     -4 %   -1,008     -886     -12 %
                                     
Other operating income, net
  6     7     25 %   19     21     14 %
Operating income
  -274     36     -     -644     57     -  
Operating margin %
  -16.3 %   2.1 %         -18.8 %   1.8 %      
                                     
Financial income
  6     2     -60 %   15     9     -40 %
Financial expenses
  -15     -7     -51 %   -25     -16     -35 %
Income after financial items
  -283     31     -     -653     50     -  
                                     
Taxes
  74     -16     -     158     -10     -  
Minority interest
  -4     -4     -2 %   -10     -7     -32 %
Net income
  -213     12     -     -505     33     -  
                                     
                                     
Number of units shipped (million)
  13.8     11.0     -20 %   28.3     21.5     -24 %
ASP (EUR)
  122     160     31 %   121     147     22 %
                                     
                                     
                                     
EUR Million
 
Apr-Jun
         
Jan-Jun
       
Restructuring charges
  2009     2010           2009     2010        
  Cost of sales
  -9     33           -2     31        
  Research and development expenses
  9     1           11     3        
  Sales and administrative expenses
  1     -2           4     1        
Total
  1     32           13     35        
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS

   
2009
   
2010
 
EUR million
  Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2  
                                     
Net sales
  1,736     1,684     1,619     1,750     1,405     1,757  
Cost of sales
  -1,591     -1,483     -1,367     -1,341     -975     -1,266  
Gross profit
  145     200     252     409     429     492  
Gross margin %
  8.4 %   11.9 %   15.5 %   23.4 %   30.6 %   28.0 %
                                     
Research and development expenses
  -303     -245     -260     -299     -216     -218  
Selling and administrative expenses
  -225     -235     -205     -299     -207     -245  
Operating expenses
  -528     -480     -465     -599     -423     -463  
                                     
Other operating income, net
  13     6     21     8     14     7  
Operating income
  -369     -274     -193     -181     20     36  
Operating margin %
  -21.3 %   -16.3 %   -11.9 %   -10.4 %   1.4 %   2.1 %
                                     
Financial income
  9     6     3     4     7     2  
Financial expenses
  -10     -15     -9     -12     -9     -7  
Income after financial items
  -370     -283     -199     -190     18     31  
                                     
Taxes
  84     74     42     36     6     -16  
Minority interest
  -6     -4     -6     -12     -3     -4  
Net income
  -293     -213     -164     -167     21     12  
                                     
                                     
Number of units shipped (million)
  14.5     13.8     14.1     14.6     10.5     11.0  
ASP (EUR)
  120     122     114     120     134     160  
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
EUR Million    2009     2010  
Restructuring charges
  Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2  
  Cost of sales
  7     -9     0     41     -2     33  
  Research and development expenses
  2     9     1     72     2     1  
  Sales and administrative expenses
  3     1     1     37     3     -2  
Total
  12     1     2     150     3     32  
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

   
Jun 30
   
Dec 31
   
Mar 31
   
Jun 30
EUR million
 
2009
   
2009
   
2010
   
2010
                       
ASSETS
                     
                       
Total fixed and financial assets
  736     779     791     836
                       
Current assets
                     
Inventories
  404     358     384     467
Accounts receivable
  936     832     849     1,063
Other assets
  379     415     369     412
Other short-term cash investments
  456     489     537     477
Cash and bank
  509     389     443     562
Total current assets
  2,685     2,483     2,582     2,981
                       
                       
Total assets
  3,421     3,262     3,373     3,817
                       
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
                     
                       
Shareholders' equity
  694     381     438     510
Minority interest
  66     47     54     66
Total equity
  760     428     492     575
                       
Borrowing, Non Current
  0     0     100     101
Other long-term liabilities
  30     32     37     40
Total long-term liabilities
  30     32     137     141
                       
Accounts payable
  848     852     829     973
Borrowing, Current
  0     258     316     329
Other current liabilities
  1,782     1,692     1,599     1,798
Total current liabilities
  2,630     2,802     2,744     3,101
                       
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities
  3,421     3,262     3,373     3,817
                       
Net cash*
  965     620     563     609

 
* Net cash is defined as cash and bank plus short-term cash investments less interest-bearing liabilities.
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

   
Apr-Jun
   
Jan-Jun
EUR million
 
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
                       
OPERATIONS
                     
Net income
  -213     12     -505     33
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
  37     4     66     -40
    -176     16     -439     -6
                       
Changes in operating net assets
  60     13     382     -58
Cash flow from operating activities
  -115     29     -57     -65
                       
INVESTMENTS
                     
Investing activities
  -13     -15     -32     12
Cash flow from investing activities
  -13     -15     -32     12
                       
FINANCING
                     
Financing activities
  0     0     - 53     150
Cash flow from financing activities
  0     0     -53     150
                       
Net change in cash
  -128     15     -142     97
Cash, beginning of period
  1,116     980     1,125     878
Translation difference in Cash
  -23     45     -18     64
Cash, end of period
  965     1,039     965     1,039

 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS

   
2009
   
2010
EUR million
  Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2
                                   
OPERATIONS
                                 
Net income
  -293     -213     -164     -167     21     12
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
  29     37     20     48     -44     4
    -263     -176     -143     -119     -23     16
                                   
Changes in operating net assets
  321     60     49     -97     -72     13
Cash flow from operating activities
  58     -115     -94     -216     -94     29
                                   
INVESTMENTS
                                 
Investing activities
  -19     -13     -42     -10     27     -15
Cash flow from investing activities
  -19     -13     -42     -10     27     -15
                                   
FINANCING
                                 
Financing activities
  - 53     0     159     100     150     0
Cash flow from financing activities
  -53     0     159     100     150     0
                                   
Net change in cash
  -14     -128     22     -126     83     15
Cash, beginning of period
  1,125     1,116     965     996     878     980
Translation difference in Cash
  5     -23     9     8     19     45
Cash, end of period
  1,116     965     996     878     980     1,039
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER

EUR million
                                     
     
2009
   
2010
 
Isolated quarters
    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    977     927     875     966     711     876  
Americas
    200     195     232     222     201     223  
Asia
    559     562     512     562     493     659  
Total
    1,736     1,684     1,619     1,750     1,405     1,757  
* of which Western Europe
    721     678     636     678     525     668  
                                       
                                       
      2009     2010  
Sequential change (%)
    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -40 %   -5 %   -6 %   10 %   -26 %   23 %
Americas
    -69 %   -3 %   19 %   -4 %   -10 %   11 %
Asia
    -12 %   1 %   -9 %   10 %   -12 %   34 %
Total
    -40 %   -3 %   -4 %   8 %   -20 %   25 %
* of which Western Europe
    -35 %   -6 %   -6 %   7 %   -23 %   27 %
                                       
                                       
      2009     2010  
Year over year change (%)
    Q1     Q2     Q3     Q4     Q1     Q2  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -35 %   -33 %   -39 %   -41 %   -27 %   -5 %
Americas
    -59 %   -74 %   -67 %   -65 %   1 %   14 %
Asia
    -23 %   -19 %   -25 %   -12 %   -12 %   17 %
Total
    -36 %   -40 %   -42 %   -40 %   -19 %   4 %
* of which Western Europe
    -26 %   -25 %   -33 %   -39 %   -27 %   -2 %
                                       
                                       
      2009     2010  
Year to date
    0903     0906     0909     0912     1003     1006  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    977     1,903     2,778     3,744     711     1,587  
Americas
    200     395     627     850     201     424  
Asia
    559     1,121     1,633     2,194     493     1,152  
Total
    1,736     3,419     5,038     6,788     1,405     3,162  
* of which Western Europe
    721     1,400     2,036     2,714     525     1,193  
                                       
                                       
      2009     2010  
YTD year over year change (%)
    0903     0906     0909     0912     1003     1006  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -35 %   -34 %   -35 %   -37 %   -27 %   -17 %
Americas
    -59 %   -68 %   -67 %   -67 %   1 %   7 %
Asia
    -23 %   -21 %   -22 %   -20 %   -12 %   3 %
Total
    -36 %   -38 %   -40 %   -40 %   -19 %   -8 %
* of which Western Europe
    -26 %   -26 %   -28 %   -31 %   -27 %   -15 %