Date: February 8, 2017 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly Securities Report

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2016

 

(TRANSLATION)

 

Sony Corporation

 

 

CONTENTS

 

			Page
Note for readers of this English translation  Cautionary Statement			1 1
I	Corporate Information		2
	(1)     Selected Consolidated Financial Data		2
	(2)     Business Overview		3
II	State of Business		4
	(1)     Risk Factors		4
	(2)     Material Contracts		6
	(3)     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, Results of Operations and Status of Cash Flows		7
III	Company Information		15
	(1)     Information on the Company’s Shares		15
	(2)     Directors and Corporate Executive Officers		20
IV	Financial Statements		21
	(1)     Consolidated Financial Statements		22
	(2)     Other Information		52

 

 

 

 

I    Corporate Information

 

(1) Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

	Yen in millions, Yen per share amounts
	Nine months ended December 31, 2015	Nine months ended December 31, 2016	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2016
Sales and operating revenue	6,281,611	5,699,646	8,105,712
Operating income	387,070	194,311	294,197
Income before income taxes	404,184	163,763	304,504
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders	236,128	45,639	147,791
Comprehensive income (loss)	231,207	75,551	(44,915)
Total equity	3,422,148	3,079,285	3,124,410
Total assets	17,106,723	17,695,074	16,673,390
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders per share of common stock, basic (yen)	191.98	36.17	119.40
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders per share of common stock, diluted (yen)	189.17	35.43	117.49
Ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets (%)	16.2	13.9	14.8
Net cash provided by operating activities	321,511	313,252	749,089
Net cash used in investing activities	(669,802)	(981,514)	(1,030,403)
Net cash provided by financing activities	497,750	467,851	380,122
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,090,637	771,676	983,612

 

	Yen in millions, Yen per share amounts
	Three months ended December 31, 2015	Three months ended December 31, 2016
Sales and operating revenue	2,580,812	2,397,499
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders	120,134	19,631
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders per share of common stock, basic (yen)	95.25	15.55
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders per share of common stock, diluted (yen)	93.33	15.24

 

Notes: 

1.	The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

2.	The Company reports equity in net income of affiliated companies as a component of operating income.

3.	Consumption taxes are not included in sales and operating revenue.

4.	Total equity is presented based on U.S. GAAP.

5.	Ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets is calculated by using total equity attributable to the stockholders of the Company.

6.	The Company prepares consolidated financial statements. Therefore parent-only selected financial data is not presented.

 

 

(2) Business Overview

 

There was no significant change in the business of Sony during the nine months ended December 31, 2016.

 

Sony realigned its reportable segments effective from the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. For further information on the realignment, please refer to “IV Financial Statements – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – 9. Business segment information”.

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 1,341 subsidiaries and 113 affiliated companies, of which 1,304 companies are consolidated subsidiaries (including variable interest entities) of the Company. The Company has applied the equity accounting method for 107 affiliated companies. 

 

 

II   State of Business

 

(1) Risk Factors

 

  

Sony’s business restructuring and transformation efforts are costly and may not attain their objectives.

Sony is implementing restructuring initiatives that focus on profitability, business autonomy, shareholder value and the clear positioning of each business within the overall business portfolio. Restructuring charges in the amount of 80.6 billion yen, 98.0 billion yen and 38.3 billion yen were recorded in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. While Sony anticipates recording approximately 45 billion yen of restructuring charges in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, including an impairment charge of approximately 33 billion yen as an operating loss resulting from the planned transfer of the battery business, significant additional or future restructuring charges may be recorded due to reasons such as the impact of economic downturns or exiting from unprofitable businesses, including the potential sale of certain businesses. Restructuring charges are recorded primarily in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative (“SGA”) expenses and other operating (income) expense, net and thus adversely affect Sony’s operating income (loss) and net income (loss) attributable to Sony’s stockholders (Refer to Note 19 of the consolidated financial statements). Sony continues to take initiatives to optimize its manufacturing operations, utilize outsourced manufacturing, reduce SGA expenses across the Sony group, outsource support functions and information processing operations, and optimize business process across functions, including sales and marketing, manufacturing, logistics, procurement, quality and R&D.

 

Due to internal or external factors, efficiencies and cost savings from the above-mentioned and other restructuring and transformation initiatives may not be realized as scheduled and, even if those benefits are realized, Sony may not be able to achieve the expected level of profitability due to market conditions worsening beyond expectations. Possible internal factors may include, for example, changes in restructuring and transformation plans, an inability to implement the initiatives effectively with available resources, an inability to coordinate effectively across different business groups, delays in implementing the new business processes or strategies, or an inability to effectively manage and monitor the post-transformation performance of the operation. Possible external factors may include, for example, increased or unanticipated burdens from local legal or regulatory restrictions, including labor regulations and labor union agreements, or from customary Japanese labor practices that may prevent Sony from executing its restructuring initiatives as planned. The inability to fully and successfully implement restructuring and transformation programs may adversely affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition. Additionally, operating cash flows may be reduced as a result of payments for restructuring charges.

  

Sony’s acquisitions, joint ventures and investments may not be successful.

 

Sony actively engages in acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic investments in order to acquire new technologies, efficiently develop new businesses, and enhance its business competitiveness. For example, in February 2016, Sony completed the acquisition of Altair Semiconductor, which develops and sells products focused on LTE (Long Term Evolution) technologies. Additionally, in August 2016, Sony entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, which owns leading sports networks both within and outside of India. Furthermore, Sony has previously engaged in joint ventures with third parties in order to reduce its capital investment, reduce operating costs and share risk with its joint venture partners, and may do so again in the future. Moreover, Sony may sell its equity interest in a joint venture or buy out the joint venture partner’s equity due to the achievement of its original objectives or other reasons. For example, in September 2016, Sony acquired the 50% equity interest in Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (“Sony/ATV”) held by the Estate of Michael Jackson (“The Estate”) and Sony/ATV became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. Sony/ATV was Sony’s joint venture with The Estate in the music publishing business.

  

Sony may incur significant expenses to acquire and integrate businesses. Additionally, Sony may not achieve strategic objectives, planned revenue improvements and cost savings, and may not retain key personnel of the acquired businesses. Sony’s operating results may also be adversely affected by the assumption of liabilities related to any acquired businesses.

 

 

Sony currently has investments in several joint ventures and strategic partnerships, and may engage in new investments in the future. If Sony and its partners are unable to reach their common financial objectives successfully due to changes in the competitive environment, strategic or cultural differences, failure to achieve synergies or other reasons, Sony’s operating results may be adversely affected. Sony’s operating results may also be adversely affected in the short- and medium-term during a partnership, even if Sony and its partners remain on course to achieve their common financial objectives. In addition, by participating in joint ventures or other strategic investments, Sony may encounter conflicts of interest, may not maintain sufficient control over these relationships, including over cash flow, and may be faced with an increased risk of the loss of proprietary technology or know-how. Sony’s reputation may be harmed by the actions or activities of a joint venture that uses the Sony brand. Sony may also be required to provide additional funding or debt guarantees to a joint venture, or to buy-out a joint venture partner, sell its share or dissolve a joint venture, whether as a result of financial performance, or otherwise. Moreover, if the value of any of Sony’s investments in an affiliate accounted for under the equity method declines below the carrying value of Sony’s investment, and such decrease is judged to be other than temporary, Sony will be required to record an impairment loss, and the loss may increase if Sony is unable to dispose of such investments due to contractual or other reasons.

 

Sony may not be able to recoup the capital expenditures or investments it makes to increase production capacity.

 

Sony continues to invest in production facilities and equipment in its electronics businesses, including image sensor fabrication facilities to meet the demand for image sensors, particularly for use in smartphones. For example, in March 2014, Sony acquired semiconductor fabrication equipment and certain related assets for 7.5 billion yen from Renesas Electronic Corporation, and established Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation Yamagata Technology Center. Also, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, Sony signed an agreement with Toshiba Corporation to acquire semiconductor fabrication facilities, equipment and related assets for 19.0 billion yen, of which 16.7 billion yen were acquired by March 2016. Sony invested approximately 205 billion yen of capital in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 in order to increase image sensor production capacity, and expects to invest approximately 45 billion yen of capital in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. However, if market changes and corresponding declines in demand result in a mismatch between sales volume and anticipated production volumes, or if unit sales prices decline due to market oversupply, Sony may not be able to recover its capital expenditures or investments, in part or in full, or the recovery of these capital expenditures or investments may take longer than expected. In particular, with respect to image sensors, much of Sony’s sales depends on smartphones, and it is possible that Sony will not be able to achieve its expected sales volume, based on factors such as consumer demand and the competitive environment in the smartphone market, or the business decisions, operating results, or financial condition of Sony’s major customers. As a result of these factors, the carrying value of the related assets may be subject to an impairment charge, which may adversely affect Sony’s profitability.

 

Sony must efficiently manage its procurement of parts and components, the market conditions for which are volatile, and control its inventory of products, parts, and components, the demand for which is volatile.

 

In Sony’s electronics businesses, Sony uses a large volume of parts and components, such as semiconductors including chipsets for mobile products, and LCD panels, for its products. Fluctuations in the availability and pricing of parts and components can adversely affect Sony’s operating results. For instance, shortages of parts or components or fluctuations in the prices of raw materials may result in sharply higher prices and an increase in the cost of goods sold. Also, shortages or delayed shipments of critical parts or components, particularly where Sony is substantially reliant on one supplier, where there is limited production capacity for custom components, or where there are initial manufacturing capacity constraints for products or components which use new technologies, may result in a reduction or suspension of production at Sony’s or its business partners’ manufacturing sites.

 

Sony places orders for parts and components in line with production and inventory plans determined in advance based on its forecast of consumer demand, which is highly volatile and difficult to predict. Inaccurate forecasts of consumer demand or inadequate management can lead to a shortage or excess of inventory, which can disrupt production plans and result in lost sales opportunities or inventory adjustments. Sony writes down the value of its inventory when the underlying parts, components or products have become obsolete, when inventory levels exceed the amount expected to be used, or when the value of the inventory is otherwise recorded at a value higher than net realizable value. For example, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, Sony recorded a 17.4 billion yen write-down of excess components in inventory, as well as 8.0 billion yen of expenses to compensate suppliers for unused components, as a result of the termination of future manufacturing following Sony’s announcement to exit from the PC business. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, Sony recorded an 11.2 billion yen write-down of PlayStation®Vita (“PS Vita”) and PlayStation TV (“PS TV”) components because the latest forecast of PS TV unit sales did not reach Sony’s original forecast. Additionally, Sony recorded a 9.4 billion yen inventory write-down of certain for mobile products image sensors in the Semiconductors segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Sony has experienced shortages of certain parts and components as a result of the damage to its suppliers caused by natural disasters, and may experience such shortages due to similar circumstances again

 

 

in the future. Such lost sales opportunities, inventory adjustments, or shortages of parts and components have had and may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

 

Sony could incur asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets.

 

Sony has a significant amount of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, including production facilities and equipment in its electronics businesses. A decline in financial performance, market capitalization or changes in estimates and assumptions used in the impairment analysis, which in many cases requires significant judgment, could result in impairment charges against these assets. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below the carrying amount. Such an event or change in circumstances would include unfavorable variances from or adjustments to established business plans, significant changes in forecasted results or volatility inherent to external markets and industries. The increased levels of global competition and the faster pace of technological change to which Sony is exposed can result in greater volatility of these estimates, assumptions and judgments, and increase the likelihood of impairment charges. In addition, the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets held and used and long-lived assets to be disposed of is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances, including the types of events or changes described above with respect to goodwill and intangible assets, indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset groups may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the asset or asset group is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. For example, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, Sony recorded impairment charges including a 32.1 billion yen impairment charge related to long-lived assets in the battery business in the Devices segment, a 25.6 billion yen impairment charge related to long-lived assets in the disc manufacturing business outside of Japan and the U.S. and goodwill across the entire disc manufacturing business in All Other, and a 12.8 billion yen impairment charge related to long-lived assets in the PC business in All Other. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, Sony recorded a 176.0 billion yen impairment charge related to goodwill in the Mobile Communications segment. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, Sony recorded impairment charges in the Devices segment related to long-lived assets in the battery business and in the camera module business of 30.6 billion yen and 59.6 billion yen, respectively. In the six months ended September 30, 2016, Sony recorded a 23.9 billion yen impairment charge against long-lived assets in the Semiconductors segment resulting from the termination of development and manufacturing of certain high-functionality camera modules for external sale. In the three months ended December 31, 2016, Sony recorded a 112.1 billion yen impairment charge related to goodwill in the Pictures segment. Any such charge may adversely affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

 

(2) Material Contracts

 

There were no material contracts executed or determined to be executed during the three months ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

 

(3) Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, Results of Operations and Status of Cash Flows

 

i) Results of Operations

 

 

Foreign Exchange Fluctuations and Risk Hedging

 

  

During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the average rates of the yen were 109.3 yen against the U.S. dollar, which is 11.1 percent higher than the same quarter of the previous fiscal year (“year-on-year”) and 117.8 yen against the euro, which is 12.8 percent higher year-on-year.

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2016, sales were 2,397.5 billion yen, a decrease of 7.1 percent year-on-year, while on a constant currency basis, sales were essentially flat year-on-year. For references to information on a constant currency basis, see Note at the bottom of this section.

 

Consolidated operating income of 92.4 billion yen was recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of 109.8 billion yen year-on-year (a decrease of approximately 91.4 billion yen year-on-year on a constant currency basis). Most of the foreign exchange rate impact was attributable to the Mobile Communications (“MC”), Game & Network Services (“G&NS”), Imaging Products & Solutions (“IP&S”), Home Entertainment & Sound (“HE&S”), Semiconductors and Components segments.

 

 

The table below indicates the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates on sales and operating results of each of the above-mentioned six segments. For a detailed analysis of segment performance, please refer to the “Results of Operations” section above, which discusses the impact of foreign exchange rates within each segment.

 

		(Billions of yen)
					Change on constant currency basis	Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates
		Three months ended December 31		Change in yen
		2015	2016
MC	Sales	384.5	248.6	-35.3%	-32%	-12.6
	Operating income	24.1	21.2	-2.9	-15.0	+12.1
G&NS	Sales	587.1	617.7	+5.2%	+15%	-57.8
	Operating income	40.2	50.0	+9.8	+8.5	+1.4
IP&S	Sales	184.8	167.1	- 9.6%	0%	-18.5
	Operating income	22.8	21.1	- 1.7	+7.5	-9.2
HE&S	Sales	402.0	353.4	-12.1%	-2%	-39.4
	Operating income	31.2	25.9	-5.3	-0.4	-4.8
Semiconductors	Sales	200.0	233.9	+16.9%	+28%	-23.0
	Operating income	21.3	27.2	+5.9	+20.0	-14.1
Components	Sales	57.3	51.4	-10.3%	-1%	-5.2
	Operating loss	(32.7)	(3.7)	+29.0	+30.1	-1.1

 

In addition, sales for the Pictures segment decreased 14.1 percent year-on-year to 225.2 billion yen, an approximately 5 percent decrease on a constant currency (U.S. dollar) basis. In the Music segment, sales decreased 1.8 percent year-on-year to 178.5 billion yen, an approximately 4 percent increase on a constant currency basis. As most of the operations in Sony’s Financial Services segment are based in Japan, Sony’s management analyzes the performance of the Financial Services segment on a yen basis only.

 

Note: In this section, for all segments other than Pictures and Music, the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on sales is calculated by applying the change in the yen’s periodic weighted average exchange rates for the three months ended December 31, 2015 from the three months ended December 31, 2016 to the major transactional currencies in which the sales are denominated. The impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on operating income (loss) described herein is calculated by subtracting from the impact on sales the impact on cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses calculated by applying the same major transactional currencies calculation process to cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses as for the impact on sales. Additionally, the MC segment enters into its own foreign exchange hedging transactions. The impact of those transactions is included in the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on operating income (loss) for that segment. Since the worldwide subsidiaries of the Pictures segment and of SME and Sony/ATV in the Music segment are aggregated on a U.S. dollar basis and are translated into yen, the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations is calculated by applying the change in the periodic weighted average exchange rates for the three months ended December 31, 2015 from the three months ended December 31, 2016 from U.S. dollar to yen to the U.S. dollar basis operating results. This information is not a substitute for Sony’s consolidated financial statements measured in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, Sony believes that these disclosures provide additional useful analytical information to investors regarding the operating performance of Sony.

 

 

Status of Cash Flows

 

Note for readers of this English translation:   Except for information specifically included in this English translation, this document omits certain information set out in the Japanese-language Quarterly Securities Report for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2016, since it is the same as described in a press release previously submitted to the SEC. Please refer to “Consolidated Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2016” submitted to the SEC on Form 6-K on February 2, 2016.   URL: The press release titled “Consolidated Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2016”  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313838/000115752317000292/a51502219.htm

 

ii) Issues Facing Sony and Management’s Response to those Issues

 

Note for readers of this English translation:   Except for the revised trend information below, there was no significant change from the information presented in the Trend Information section of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016. The changes are indicated by underline below. Any forward-looking statements included in the descriptions below are based on management’s current judgment.   URL: The Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313838/000119312516624169/d168822d20f.htm

 

Issues Facing Sony and Management’s Response to those Issues

 

The global economic recovery has been weakening amid increasing financial turbulence, with recovery in advanced economies remaining only modest, and prospects across emerging countries continue to be uneven and generally weaker than in the past 20 years. In advanced economies, factors such as unfavorable demographic trends and low productivity growth continue to weigh on the recovery. In emerging markets, while growth in China and most of emerging Asia is generally projected to be high, Brazil, Russia and other commodity exporters face severe macroeconomic conditions. Furthermore, shocks of a noneconomic origin, related to geopolitical conflicts, political discord, or terrorism loom over many regions, and could have a significant impact on the global economy.

 

The uncertain economic environment surrounding Sony is compounded by continued, intense pricing pressure from competitors, shrinking markets for certain key products and shorter product cycles, primarily in Sony’s Electronics businesses.

 

On February 18, 2015, Sony unveiled its mid-range plan announcing that it would position Return on Equity (“ROE”) as its most important performance indicator. With the goal of transforming into a highly profitable enterprise, Sony set targets of ROE above 10 percent and operating income above 500 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the last year of the mid-range plan.

 

Sony’s key strategies for business operations are as follows:

 

●

Business management that emphasizes profitability, without necessarily pursuing volume.

 

●

Business management that grants each business unit greater autonomy and mandates a focus on shareholder value.

 

●

Clearly defined positioning of each business within a broader business portfolio perspective.

 

Based on its specific characteristics and the competitive landscape, each of the Sony Group’s businesses is classified as a “growth driver,” “stable profit generator,” or “area focusing on volatility management” in terms of its position within Sony’s overall business portfolio. Each business has been assigned a target figure for Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) linked with the ROE target for Sony Group as a whole, and managed with a clear emphasis on profitability.

 

On June 29, 2016, Sony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 and provided an update on the progress of its mid-range corporate plan covering the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. Sony also presented details of initiatives it is undertaking to establish the Company’s foundations for the future beyond the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. Highlights from this presentation are outlined below.

 

 

1. Progress of Mid-range Corporate Plan (fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 – fiscal year ending March 31, 2018)

 

Sony’s mid-range corporate plan from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 is transitioning the Company from a period focused primarily on restructuring to a new phase with “profit generation and investment for growth” as its theme. Under this plan, Sony is aiming to realize its transformation into a highly profitable enterprise. Sony’s target of consolidated ROE of more than 10% and consolidated operating profit of more than 500 billion yen for the Sony Group in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the final year of its mid-range corporate plan, remains unchanged, and the Company is continuing to manage each of its businesses with the aim of achieving its transformation into a highly profitable enterprise.

 

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the first year of its mid-range plan, Sony significantly improved consolidated operating income and consolidated net income attributable to stockholders compared with the previous year. In particular, the revitalization of its “SONY”-branded consumer electronics businesses contributed significantly to this improved profitability. Sony recognizes that this revitalization was a result of comprehensive measures that have steadily been carried out to enhance product competitiveness and differentiation in these businesses, as well as structural reform and cost optimization measures. These businesses are expected to provide the foundations for the Company’s achievement of its financial target for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 of consolidated operating profit of more than 500 billion yen. At the same time, with the competitive environment in the consumer electronics industry continuing to drastically change, Sony also plans to aggressively undertake new challenges within these businesses.

 

Progress of Key Segments and Related Initiatives

 

Game and Network Services

 

Sony considers the G&NS segment the largest growth driver of its mid-range corporate plan, and as of January 2017, PlayStation®4 has cumulatively sold through more than 53.4 million units to customers worldwide, continuing its rapid growth and expansion as the fastest-selling console in PlayStation® history. The platform as a whole, including network services, is receiving widespread customer acclaim, and profit growth is exceeding the expectations held when the mid-range corporate plan was initially formed.

 

The network services business is also continuing to grow, achieving a 50% increase in sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the previous fiscal year. The user base is expanding, driven in particular by the PlayStation®Plus membership service, and Sony has continued to engage in investment towards further growth.

 

Sony’s new PlayStation®VR virtual reality system launched in October 2016. Sony has identified virtual reality as an area it believes offers great future potential for the Sony Group in games, as well as other areas. Virtual reality is an application in which Sony believes it can leverage its technological strengths in areas such as digital imaging, content acquisition and production, as well as its entertainment assets. The Company is accordingly engaging with virtual reality across the Sony Group, and also considering the possibility of cultivating it as a new business domain.

 

Pictures and Music

 

In the Pictures and Music segments, with the shift to digital and proliferation of streaming services, the industry itself is undergoing a major transition. The ways that customers consume content, and their individual needs, are becoming increasingly diverse. With the Sony Group’s array of creative talent, ability to create high-quality entertainment, and wealth of content, the current business environment presents major opportunities, and Sony intends to accelerate its growth into these areas.

 

In the Pictures segment, the growth of subscription-based video services and emergence of “binge-watching” viewing styles, has led to a significant increase in demand for high-quality television content, particularly drama. With Sony Pictures Television producing a succession of major hits, including “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “The Blacklist,” Sony believes it is well-positioned to take advantage of these trends.

 

In the Music segment, the discovery, development and promotion of artists such as Adele, whose record-breaking hit “25” made a significant contribution to profit in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, will continue to form the basis of Sony’s business activities. At the same time Sony is engaging in strategic investment to strengthen its recurring revenue businesses within this segment, as demonstrated by the full acquisition of independent music distributor Orchard Media, Inc. in April 2015, and the full acquisition of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC announced in September 2016.

 

 

Devices*

 

In the Devices segment, which Sony classified as a “growth driver” in its mid-range corporate plan alongside the three segments above, Sony announced a significant downward revision to its full year results forecast in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 due to lower than expected sales in the core image sensor business, caused in particular by slowing growth within the smartphone market. The rate of profit growth in this business is expected to continue to decline through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. Sony plans to take an approach to management that prioritizes speed of response to changes in the market environment, and focuses on Sony’s areas of strength.

 

At the same time, in terms of image sensors for mobile products, while the smartphone market itself is slowing, the shift to dual-lens cameras and the requirement for higher pixel density is expected to lead to increased demand in the future. With its technological expertise in these areas, these could be favorable market trends for Sony. By taking advantage of these shifts in the business landscape and also by continuing its existing efforts to expand sales volume, Sony is aiming to revitalize the profitability of this business from the second half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 and into the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

 

From a mid- to long-term perspective, Sony continues to expect significant future growth for the image sensor-business. This business accordingly continues to be positioned as a growth driver.

 

In terms of new image sensor applications, Sony sees potential growth in surveillance cameras, as well as in factory automation, IoT (Internet of Things) including drones, and automotive applications. While it is expected to be some time before Sony’s image sensor business for automotive applications is fully established, it is an area where Sony anticipates growth and is investing in R&D aggressively.

 

*Sony realigned its business segments from the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 to reflect a change in the Corporate Executive Officers in charge of the segment, as well as modifications to the organizational structure of certain segments as of April 1, 2016. As a result of this realignment, Sony has separated the Devices segment into two segments, a Semiconductors segment and a Components segment. The image sensor business is included in the Semiconductors segment.

 

Financial Services

 

In the Financial Services segment, each of the life insurance, non-life insurance, banking and nursing care business have continued to steadily expand their business operations, based on the high level of trust they have gained among customers. However, the ultra-low interest rate environment in Japan is expected to present challenges in terms of generating profit in this segment for the duration of the current mid-range corporate plan, and therefore projections for this segment which were incorporated in our mid-range corporate plan have been revised.

 

In the core life insurance business, Sony is reevaluating its product lineup and sales strategy and executing initiatives, including comprehensive risk management measures, in order to maintain and improve profitability. Sony will target mid- to long-term growth by continuing to focus on providing high-quality and convenient services in life insurance and across all its other businesses.

 

2.  New Initiatives Looking Towards the Future

 

Based on its mission of being a company that provides customers with kando, and inspires and fulfills their curiosity, Sony will continue to target growth by developing the three pillars of its business—electronics, entertainment and financial services—and creating new business opportunities in these business domains.

 

Sony believes its strength lies in its ability to develop products that exist at the closest point of contact with its customers and resonate with them at an emotional level, and to place them in the hands of customers around the world. In other words, Sony connects with its customers at the “last one inch” of the user experience.

 

Sony intends to accelerate efforts to leverage its strengths in new business areas, based on the dual principles of its mission to provide customers with kando, and the pursuit of recurring revenue business models that generate sustainable business and profit growth.

 

While continuing to proceed with the new business creation initiatives in which Sony is currently engaged, the Company will aim to combine its existing strengths in areas such as video and audio technologies, sensors and mechatronics,

 

 

with artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, communications and other elements, and by doing so offer new proposals at the “last one inch” across all types of living spaces.

 

In addition to initiatives already under way, such as the drone-based enterprise solutions that have been launched by Aerosense Inc., Sony’s joint venture with ZMP Inc., and the development of a range of Xperia smart products announced earlier this year, Sony has also embarked on the development of a robot capable of forming an emotional bond with customers, and able to grow to inspire love and affection. In April 2016 Sony established a new organization in this area that is working towards a business launch. Sony will seek to propose new business models that integrate hardware and services to provide emotionally compelling experiences. In the future, Sony will explore broader business opportunities for its robotics and AI technologies, including applications such as production processes and logistics.

 

In order to accelerate R&D in the areas that Sony will focus on going forward, Sony intends to further strengthen its collaboration with leading external researchers and start-up companies, and create a more open ecosystem. As part of these efforts, Sony established the “Sony Innovation Fund,” a corporate venture capital fund, which launched in July 2016. Having advisors and business incubators actively participate in strategically important businesses will enable Sony to support the growth of companies in which it invests, and also provide opportunities to nurture Sony’s leaders of tomorrow.

 

Due to the earthquake of April 14, 2016 and subsequent earthquakes in the Kumamoto region, manufacturing operations were affected at Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center, which is the primary manufacturing site of image sensors mainly for digital cameras, security cameras and micro-display devices. As a result of Sony’s recovery effort, full utilization on a wafer input basis was reached by the end of July 2016.

 

Group Environmental Mid-Term Targets “Green Management 2020”

 

Sony announced in June 2015 the establishment of its “Green Management 2020” group environmental mid-term targets that will take effect from fiscal 2016 (the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017) through fiscal 2020 (the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021). Based on the following three pillars, Sony plans to implement various initiatives to reduce the Sony Group’s environmental footprint:

 

●

Formulate targets and implement initiatives that leverage the distinctive characteristics of Sony’s businesses, from Electronics to entertainment. Among these, reduce annual energy consumption by an average of 30 percent (compared to levels at the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014) in Electronics products, and in entertainment, continue to look to use its contents to raise awareness of sustainability issues and inspire environmentally conscious actions.

 

●

Enhance efforts to reduce Sony’s environmental footprint across its entire value chain, including manufacturing partners and suppliers, by calling on them to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water consumption.

 

●

Accelerate the use of renewable energy.

 

Sony’s long-term vision is to achieve a “zero environmental footprint” throughout all stages of its product lifecycles and business activities by 2050. The “Green Management 2020” mid-term plan has been backcasted (calculated backwards) in order to determine the necessary intermediate steps that need to be taken by fiscal 2020 (the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021) on the way to this long-term goal. Sony achieved almost all of the targets set forth in its previous plan, “Green Management 2015,” which covered the five-year period up to and including fiscal 2015 (the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016). With “Green Management 2020,” Sony plans to further accelerate its various initiatives directed towards its ultimate goal of a “zero environmental footprint.”

 

Sony plans to also continue to participate in the WWF’s Climate Savers Programme, which aims to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 onwards. Climate change targets are verified by WWF and a third-party verification body for their degrees of difficulty and progress.

 

Further details of the group environmental mid-term targets “Green Management 2020” and actual measures undertaken by Sony are reported in Sony’s CSR report available on the following website: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/csr_report/.

 

 

iii) Research and Development

 

Note for readers of this English translation:   There was no significant change from the information presented as the Research and Development in the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016.   URL: The Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313838/000119312516624169/d168822d20f.htm

 

Research and development costs for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 totaled 325.1 billion yen. There were no significant changes in research and development activities for the period.

  

iv) Employees

 

Note for readers of this English translation:   Excluding the below, there was no significant change from the information presented in the Employees section of the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016. URL: The Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313838/000119312516624169/d168822d20f.htm

 

As of December 31, 2016, Sony Corporation had 6,201 employees, a decrease of 4,310 employees from 10,511 employees as of March 31, 2016. The total number of employees decreased mainly due to the separation of its Semionductors business to a subsidiary. There is no significant change in the number of employees of Sony on the consolidated basis.

 

 

v) Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Note for readers of this English translation:   Except for the information related to the committed lines of credit and the issuance of unsecured straight bonds below, there was no significant change from the information presented in the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016. The changes are indicated by underline below. Any forward-looking statements included in the descriptions below are based on management’s current judgment.   URL: The Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 17, 2016 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/313838/000119312516624169/d168822d20f.htm

 

Sony typically raises funds through straight bonds, CP programs and bank loans (including syndicated loans). If market disruption and volatility occur and Sony could not raise sufficient funds from these sources, Sony may also draw down funds from contractually committed lines of credit from various financial institutions. Sony has a total, translated into yen, of 533.0 billion yen in unused committed lines of credit, as of December 31, 2016. Details of those committed lines of credit are: a 300.0 billion yen committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of Japanese banks, effective until July 2018, a 1.5 billion U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit also with a syndicate of Japanese banks, effective until December 2018, and a 500 million U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of foreign banks, effective until March 2017, in all of which Sony Corporation and Sony Global Treasury Services Plc are defined as borrowers. These contracts are aimed at securing sufficient liquidity in a quick and stable manner even in the event of turmoil within the financial and capital markets.

 

In September 2016, Sony Corporation issued unsecured straight bonds in the total principal amount of 200.0 billion yen. Sony Corporation intends to use the proceeds from the issues for the repayment of debt.

 

 

III   Company Information

(1) Information on the Company’s Shares

 

i) Total Number of Shares

1) Total Number of Shares

Class	Total number of shares authorized to be issued
Common stock	3,600,000,000
Total	3,600,000,000

 

2) Number of Shares Issued

Class	Number of shares issued		Name of Securities Exchanges where the shares are listed or authorized Financial Instruments Firms Association where the shares are registered	Description
	As of the end of the third quarterly period (December 31, 2016)	As of the filing date of the Quarterly Securities Report (February 8, 2017)
Common stock	1,263,361,160	1,263,377,660	Tokyo Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange	The number of shares constituting one full unit is one hundred (100).
Total	1,263,361,160	1,263,377,660	—	—

Notes:

1.

The Company’s shares of common stock are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan.

2.

The number of shares issued as of the filing date of this Quarterly Securities Report does not include shares issued upon the exercise of stock acquisition rights (“SARs”) during February 2017, the month in which this Quarterly Securities Report (Shihanki Houkokusho) was filed.

 

ii) Stock Acquisition Rights

 

Note for readers of this English translation: The Japanese-language Quarterly Securities Report includes a summary of the main terms and conditions of the SARs listed below which were issued during the three months ended December 31, 2016. A summary of such terms and conditions has previously been filed with or submitted to the SEC under Form 6-K or Form S-8. There has been no change to such terms and conditions since the applicable date of such filings or submissions.   URL: The list of documents previously filed or submitted by the Company http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000313838&owner=include&count=40

 

Stock acquisition rights (outstanding as of December 31, 2016)

Name  (Date of resolution of the Board of Directors)	Number of  SARs issued	Number of shares of common stock to be issued or transferred
The thirty-second series of Common Stock Acquisition Rights  (November 1, 2016)	15,223	1,522,300
The thirty-third series of Common Stock Acquisition Rights  (November 1, 2016)	17,281	1,728,100

 

 

iii) Status of the Exercise of Moving Strike Convertible Bonds

Not applicable.

 

iv) Description of Rights Plan

Not applicable.

 

v) Changes in the Total Number of Shares Issued and the Amount of Common Stock, etc.

Period	Change in the total number of shares issued	Balance of the total number of shares issued	Change in  the amount of  common stock	Balance of the amount of common stock	Change in the legal capital surplus	Balance of the legal capital surplus
	(Thousands)	(Thousands)	(Yen in Millions)	(Yen in Millions)	(Yen in Millions)	(Yen in Millions)
From October 1 to December 31, 2016	177	1,263,361	240	860,024	240	1,073,717

 

Notes:

1.

The increase is due to the exercise of SARs.

2.

Upon the exercise of SARs during the period from January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2017 the total number of shares issued increased by 17 thousand shares, and the amount of common stock and the legal capital surplus increased by 26 million yen, respectively.

 

 

vi) Status of Major Shareholders

 

(As of December 31, 2016)

Name	Address	Number of shares held  (Thousands)	Percentage  of shares held to total shares issued (%)
Citibank as Depositary Bank for Depositary Receipt Holders *1  (Local Custodian: The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.)	New York, U.S.A.  (2-7-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku,  Tokyo)	104,356	8.26
Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust account) *2	1-8-11, Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo	71,729	5.68
JPMorgan Chase Bank 380055 *3  (Local Custodian: Mizuho Bank, Ltd.)	New York, U.S.A.  (Shinagawa Intercity Tower A, 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)	57,876	4.58
The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (Trust account) *2	2-11-3, Hamamatsu-cho, Minato-ku,  Tokyo	57,545	4.55
State Street Bank and Trust Company *3  (Local Custodian: The Hongkong and Shanghai  Banking Corporation Limited)	Boston, U.S.A.  (3-11-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku,  Tokyo)	35,236	2.79
State Street Bank and Trust Company 505223 *3  (Local Custodian: Mizuho Bank, Ltd.)	Boston, U.S.A.  (Shinagawa Intercity Tower A, 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)	19,205	1.52
State Street Bank West Client – Treaty 505234 *3  (Local Custodian: Mizuho Bank, Ltd.)	North Quincy, U.S.A.  (Shinagawa Intercity Tower A, 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)	18,299	1.45
The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV 10 *3  (Local Custodian: The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.)	Brussels, Belgium  (2-7-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku,  Tokyo)	17,062	1.35
State Street Bank and Trust Company 505001 *3  (Local Custodian: Mizuho Bank, Ltd.)	Boston, U.S.A.  (Shinagawa Intercity Tower A, 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)	16,933	1.34
State Street Bank and Trust Company 505225 *3  (Local Custodian: Mizuho Bank, Ltd.)	Boston, U.S.A.  (Shinagawa Intercity Tower A, 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)	16,238	1.29
Total		414,480	32.81

Notes:

*1.

Citibank as Depositary Bank for Depositary Receipt Holders is the nominee of Citibank, N.A.

*2.

The shares held by each shareholder are held in trust for investors, including shares in securities investment trusts.

*3.

Each shareholder provides depositary services for shares owned by institutional investors, mainly in Europe and North America. They are also the nominees for these investors.

4.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited sent a copy of its “Bulk Shareholding Report” (which was filed with the Kanto Financial Bureau in Japan) to the Company as of April 4, 2014 and reported that it held shares, etc. of the Company as of March 31, 2014 as provided in the below table. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has not been able to confirm such entry of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited in the register of shareholders.

 

 

Name	Number of shares, etc. held  (Thousands)	Percentage of shares held to total shares issued (%)
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited and the 2 Joint Holders	52,312	5.04

 

5.

BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd. sent a copy of its “Bulk Shareholding Report” (which was filed with the Kanto Financial Bureau in Japan) to the Company as of July 22, 2014 and reported that it held shares of the Company as of July 15, 2014 as provided in the below table. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has not been able to confirm such entry of BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd. in the register of shareholders.

Name	Number of shares held (Thousands)	Percentage of shares held to total shares issued (%)
BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.  and the 8 Joint Holders	52,314	5.01

 

6.

Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. filed its “Bulk Shareholding Report” with the Kanto Financial Bureau in Japan as of October 21, 2016 and reported that it held shares, etc. of the Company as of October 14, 2016 as provided in the below table. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has not been able to confirm such entry of Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. in the register of shareholders.

Name	Number of shares, etc. held (Thousands)	Percentage of shares, etc. held to total shares issued (%)
Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd.  and the 1 Joint Holder	63,774	5.04

 

7.

Capital Research and Management Company filed its “Amendment to the Bulk Shareholding Report” with the Kanto Financial Bureau in Japan as of December 22, 2016 and reported that it held shares of the Company as of December 15, 2016 as provided in the below table. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has not been able to confirm such entry of Capital Research and Management Company in the register of shareholders.

Name	Number of shares held  (Thousands)	Percentage of shares held  to total shares issued (%)
Capital Research and Management Company	73,712	5.84

 

 

vii) Status of Voting Rights 

1) Shares Issued

 

(As of December 31, 2016)

Classification	Number of shares of common stock	Number of voting rights (Units)	Description
Shares without voting rights	—	—	—
Shares with restricted voting rights  (Treasury stock, etc.)	—	—	—
Shares with restricted voting rights (Others)	—	—	—
Shares with full voting rights  (Treasury stock, etc.)	1,063,200	—	—
Shares with full voting rights (Others)	1,260,150,900	12,601,509	—
Shares constituting less than one full unit	2,147,060	—	Shares constituting less than one full unit (100 shares)
Total number of shares issued	1,263,361,160	—	—
Total voting rights held by all shareholders	—	12,601,509	—

Note:

Included in “Shares with full voting rights (Others)” under “Number of shares of common stock” are 19,500 shares of common stock held under the name of Japan Securities Depository Center, Incorporated. Also included in “Shares with full voting rights (Others)” under “Number of voting rights (Units)” are 195 units of voting rights relating to the shares of common stock with full voting rights held under the name of Japan Securities Depository Center, Incorporated.

 

2) Treasury Stock, Etc.

 

(As of December 31, 2016)

Name of shareholder	Address of shareholder	Number of shares held under own name	Number of shares held under the names of others	Total number of shares held	Percentage of shares held to total shares issued (%)
Sony Corporation  (Treasury stock)	1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo	1,063,200	—	1,063,200	0.08
Total	—	1,063,200	—	1,063,200	0.08

Note:

In addition to the 1,063,200 shares listed above, there are 300 shares of common stock held in the name of the Company in the register of shareholders that the Company does not beneficially own. These shares are included in “Shares with full voting rights (Others)” in Table 1) “Shares Issued” above.

 

 

(2)       Directors and Corporate Executive Officers

 

The change in directors or corporate executive officers in the period from the filing date of the Securities Report (Yukashoken Houkokusho) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 to the filing date of this Quarterly Securities Report (Shihanki Houkokusho) is as follows:

 

i) Retired Corporate Executive Officer

 

Title	Position	Name	Date of Retirement
Corporate Executive Officer	Executive Vice President  (Officer in charge of Pictures and Music Businesses)	Michael Lynton	February 2, 2017

 

ii) The number of male and female Directors and Corporate Executive Officers after the change

The Directors and Corporate Executive Officers are composed of 18 males and 1 female.

(The percentage of female Directors and Corporate Executive Officers is 5.3%.)

 

 

IV    Financial Statements

 

			Page
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements			22
	(i)	Consolidated Balance Sheets	22
	(ii)	Consolidated Statements of Income	24
	(iii)	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	26
	(iv)	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	27
(2) Other Information			52

 

 

(1) Consolidated Financial Statements

 

   (i)   Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

		Yen in millions
		At March 31, 2016				At December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			983,612				771,676
Marketable securities			946,397				1,028,046
Notes and accounts receivable, trade			926,375				1,383,285
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns			(72,783	)			(75,441	)
Inventories			683,146				681,138
Other receivables			206,058				208,922
Deferred income taxes			40,940				35,710
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			482,982				566,326
Total current assets			4,196,727				4,599,662
Film costs			301,228				369,157
Investments and advances:
Affiliated companies			164,874				160,155
Securities investments and other			9,069,209				9,775,710
			9,234,083				9,935,865
Property, plant and equipment:
Land			121,707				118,857
Buildings			655,379				654,037
Machinery and equipment			1,795,991				1,854,564
Construction in progress			69,286				54,385
			2,642,363				2,681,843
Less – Accumulated depreciation			1,821,545				1,913,120
			820,818				768,723
Other assets:
Intangibles, net			615,754				587,490
Goodwill			606,290				503,218
Deferred insurance acquisition costs			511,834				537,870
Deferred income taxes			97,639				102,480
Other			289,017				290,609
			2,120,534				2,021,667
Total assets			16,673,390				17,695,074

(Continued on following page.)

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

  

		Yen in millions
		At March 31, 2016				At December 31, 2016
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings			149,272				426,073
Current portion of long-term debt			187,668				109,041
Notes and accounts payable, trade			550,964				626,295
Accounts payable, other and accrued expenses			1,367,115				1,417,687
Accrued income and other taxes			88,865				129,138
Deposits from customers in the banking business			1,912,673				2,081,101
Other			574,193				570,567
Total current liabilities			4,830,750				5,359,902
Long-term debt			556,605				703,385
Accrued pension and severance costs			462,384				452,020
Deferred income taxes			450,926				435,306
Future insurance policy benefits and other			4,509,215				4,757,299
Policyholders’ account in the life insurance business			2,401,320				2,579,816
Other			330,302				320,192
Total liabilities			13,541,502				14,607,920
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			7,478				7,869
Commitments and contingent liabilities
EQUITY
Sony Corporation’s stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, no par value –  At March 31, 2016–Shares authorized: 3,600,000,000, shares issued: 1,262,493,760			858,867
At December 31, 2016–Shares authorized: 3,600,000,000, shares issued: 1,263,361,160							860,024
Additional paid-in capital			1,325,719				1,272,577
Retained earnings			936,331				969,346
Accumulated other comprehensive income –
Unrealized gains on securities, net			140,736				128,672
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net			(1,198	)			2,491
Pension liability adjustment			(371,739	)			(362,564	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(421,117	)			(413,312	)
			(653,318	)			(644,713	)
Treasury stock, at cost
Common stock  At March 31, 2016–1,047,745 shares			(4,259	)
At December 31, 2016–1,063,269 shares							(4,300	)
			2,463,340				2,452,934
Noncontrolling interests			661,070				626,351
Total equity			3,124,410				3,079,285
Total liabilities and equity			16,673,390				17,695,074

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

(ii)      Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Sales and operating revenue:
Net sales			5,405,599				4,834,013
Financial services revenue			807,092				806,954
Other operating revenue			68,920				58,679
			6,281,611				5,699,646
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales			3,985,905				3,559,927
Selling, general and administrative			1,258,448				1,088,096
Financial services expenses			666,479				693,537
Other operating (income) expense, net			(13,146	)			165,454
			5,897,686				5,507,014
Equity in net income of affiliated companies			3,145				1,679
Operating income			387,070				194,311
Other income:
Interest and dividends			9,055				7,859
Gain on sale of securities investments, net			51,796				155
Other			1,541				1,906
			62,392				9,920
Other expenses:
Interest			19,321				11,902
Loss on devaluation of securities investments			251				4,860
Foreign exchange loss, net			20,302				19,230
Other			5,404				4,476
			45,278				40,468
Income before income taxes			404,184				163,763
Income taxes			119,354				80,931
Net income			284,830				82,832
Less - Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			48,702				37,193
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders			236,128				45,639

 

		Yen
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Per share data:		-				-
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders
– Basic			191.98				36.17
– Diluted			189.17				35.43

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Sales and operating revenue:
Net sales			2,238,674				2,059,578
Financial services revenue			320,368				317,342
Other operating revenue			21,770				20,579
			2,580,812				2,397,499
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales			1,623,410				1,495,036
Selling, general and administrative			461,418				411,652
Financial services expenses			267,365				286,740
Other operating expense, net			28,253				113,013
			2,380,446				2,306,441
Equity in net income of affiliated companies			1,779				1,314
Operating income			202,145				92,372
Other income:
Interest and dividends			2,739				2,502
Gain on sale of securities investments, net			219				92
Other			355				189
			3,313				2,783
Other expenses:
Interest			8,346				3,749
Loss on devaluation of securities investments			246				4,810
Foreign exchange loss, net			1,954				18,420
Other			1,632				1,949
			12,178				28,928
Income before income taxes			193,280				66,227
Income taxes			55,676				36,956
Net income			137,604				29,271
Less - Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			17,470				9,640
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders			120,134				19,631

 

		Yen
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Per share data:		-				-
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders
– Basic			95.25				15.55
– Diluted			93.33				15.24

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

(iii)   Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Net income			284,830				82,832
Other comprehensive income, net of tax ―
Unrealized losses on securities			(34,864	)			(25,645	)
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments			2,114				3,690
Pension liability adjustment			1,366				9,297
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(22,239	)			5,377
Total comprehensive income			231,207				75,551
Less – Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			47,046				21,307
Comprehensive income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders			184,161				54,244

  

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Net income			137,604				29,271
Other comprehensive income, net of tax ―
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities			23,002				(8,314	)
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments			3,855				3,430
Pension liability adjustment			459				3,250
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(10,338	)			112,440
Total comprehensive income			154,582				140,077
Less – Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			20,676				2,152
Comprehensive income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders			133,906				137,925

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

(iv)   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income			284,830				82,832
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities–
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred insurance acquisition costs			275,130				259,554
Amortization of film costs			200,643				190,539
Accrual for pension and severance costs, less payments			(6,667	)			7,270
Other operating (income) expense, net			(13,146	)			165,454
(Gain) loss on sale or devaluation of securities investments, net			(51,546	)			4,706
Gain on revaluation of marketable securities held in the financial services business for trading purposes, net			(4,347	)			(42,727	)
Loss on revaluation or impairment of securities investments held in the financial services business, net			2,586				29
Deferred income taxes			12,543				4,450
Equity in net loss of affiliated companies, net of dividends			3,816				5,770
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in notes and accounts receivable, trade			(310,954	)			(372,978	)
Increase in inventories			(91,742	)			(18,622	)
Increase in film costs			(252,998	)			(242,875	)
Increase in notes and accounts payable, trade			85,718				87,698
Increase in accrued income and other taxes			43,932				65,951
Increase in future insurance policy benefits and other			312,040				336,157
Increase in deferred insurance acquisition costs			(67,354	)			(70,070	)
Increase in marketable securities held in the financial services business for trading purposes			(69,941	)			(60,868	)
Increase in other current assets			(57,444	)			(46,705	)
Increase in other current liabilities			9,931				55,453
Other			16,481				(97,766	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			321,511				313,252

(Continued on following page.)

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

  

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchases of fixed assets			(254,272	)			(260,457	)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets			18,369				9,134
Payments for investments and advances by financial services business			(942,226	)			(943,712	)
Payments for investments and advances (other than financial services business)			(18,784	)			(8,128	)
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances by financial services business			465,525				212,624
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances (other than financial services business)			79,754				14,478
Proceeds from sales of businesses			17,790				3,262
Other			(35,958	)			(8,715	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(669,802	)			(981,514	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			18,772				255,416
Payments of long-term debt			(137,743	)			(182,670	)
Increase in short-term borrowings, net			151,485				235,084
Increase in deposits from customers in the financial services business, net			91,113				254,279
Proceeds from issuance of convertible bonds			120,000				—
Proceeds from issuance of new shares			301,708				—
Dividends paid			(12,766	)			(25,308	)
Payment for purchase of Sony/ATV shares from noncontrolling interests			—				(76,565	)
Other			(34,819	)			7,615
Net cash provided by financing activities			497,750				467,851
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(8,235	)			(11,525	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			141,224				(211,936	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the fiscal year			949,413				983,612
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period			1,090,637				771,676

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

Index to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			Page
1.		Summary of significant accounting policies	30
2.		Marketable securities and securities investments	31
3.		Fair value measurements	32
4.		Supplemental equity and comprehensive income information	34
5.		Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted EPS	36
6.		Kumamoto Earthquake	37
7.		Impairment of goodwill in the Pictures segment	37
8.		Commitments, contingent liabilities and other	37
9.		Business segment information	40
10.		Subsequent events	51

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Sony Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

1.

Summary of significant accounting policies

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), except for certain disclosures which have been omitted. Certain adjustments and reclassifications have been incorporated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform with U.S. GAAP. These adjustments were not recorded in the statutory books and records as Sony Corporation and its subsidiaries in Japan maintain their records and prepare their statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Japan while its foreign subsidiaries maintain their records and prepare their financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the countries of their domiciles.

 

(1)

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements:

 

Amendments to the consolidation analysis -

 

In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02 that changes how companies evaluate entities for consolidation. The changes primarily relate to (i) the identification of variable interests related to fees paid to decision makers or service providers, (ii) how entities determine whether limited partnerships or similar entities are variable interest entities, (iii) how related parties and de facto agents are considered in the primary beneficiary determination, and (iv) the elimination of the presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership. This ASU is effective for Sony as of April 1, 2016. The effect of this ASU did not have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

 

Customer’s accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement -

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05 for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. The ASU requires entities to account for a cloud computing arrangement that includes a software license element in a manner consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. A cloud computing arrangement without a software license element is to be accounted for as a service contract. This ASU does not affect the accounting for service contracts by a customer. This ASU is effective for Sony as of April 1, 2016. The effect of this ASU did not have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

 

(2)

Accounting methods used specifically for interim consolidated financial statements:

 

Income Taxes -

 

Sony estimates the annual effective tax rate (“ETR”) derived from a projected annual net income before taxes and calculates the interim period income tax provision based on the year-to-date income tax provision computed by applying the ETR to the year-to-date net income before taxes at the end of each interim period. The income tax provision based on the ETR reflects anticipated income tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards; however, it excludes the income tax provision related to significant unusual or extraordinary transactions. Such income tax provision is separately reported from the provision based on the ETR in the interim period in which it occurs.

 

(3)

Reclassifications:

 

Certain reclassifications of the financial statements and accompanying footnotes for the nine and three months ended December 31, 2015 have been made to conform to the presentation for the nine and three months ended December 31, 2016.

 

(4)

Out-of-period adjustments:

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2015, Sony recorded an out-of-period adjustment to correct an error in the amount of accruals for certain sales incentives being recorded at a subsidiary. The error began in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 and continued until it was identified by Sony during the three months ended December 31, 2015. The adjustment, which related to the HE&S segment, impacted net sales and increased income before income taxes in the consolidated statements of income by 8,447 million yen for the nine months ended December 31, 2015. Sony determined that the adjustment was not material to the consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 or any prior annual or interim periods.

 

 

2.

Marketable securities and securities investments

 

Marketable securities and securities investments, primarily included in the Financial Services segment, are comprised of debt and equity securities for which the aggregate cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value pertaining to available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities are as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		March 31, 2016																December 31, 2016
		Cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Fair value				Cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Fair value
Available-for-sale:
Debt securities:
Japanese national government bonds			1,136,478				218,863				(6	)			1,355,335				1,161,376				194,425				(645	)			1,355,156
Japanese local government bonds			60,707				86				(254	)			60,539				62,262				160				(75	)			62,347
Japanese corporate bonds			132,739				11,472				(230	)			143,981				162,151				10,004				(1,599	)			170,556
Foreign government bonds			35,896				5,724				(160	)			41,460				19,130				457				(648	)			18,939
Foreign corporate bonds			415,994				5,738				(3,185	)			418,547				392,518				5,910				(810	)			397,618
Other			884				0				—				884				15,886				—				(0	)			15,886
			1,782,698				241,883				(3,835	)			2,020,746				1,813,323				210,956				(3,777	)			2,020,502
Equity securities			44,752				70,590				(21	)			115,321				55,736				66,954				(475	)			122,215
Held-to-maturity securities:
Japanese national government bonds *			5,353,080				2,020,621				—				7,373,701				5,577,355				1,744,367				(18,287	)			7,303,435
Japanese local government bonds			4,480				522				—				5,002				4,134				470				—				4,604
Japanese corporate bonds			61,811				17,382				—				79,193				200,565				14,746				(15,713	)			199,598
Foreign government bonds			42,934				10,631				—				53,565				220,601				5,388				(24,488	)			201,501
Foreign corporate bonds			198				24				—				222				198				20				—				218
			5,462,503				2,049,180				—				7,511,683				6,002,853				1,764,991				(58,488	)			7,709,356
Total			7,289,953				2,361,653				(3,856	)			9,647,750				7,871,912				2,042,901				(62,740	)			9,852,073

 

* As of December 31, 2016, held-to-maturity securities include 242,434 million yen of pledged Japanese national government bonds as collateral for transactions with short-term repurchase agreement.

 

 

3.

Fair value measurements

 

The fair value of Sony’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		March 31, 2016
																		Presentation in the consolidated balance sheets
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total				Marketable securities				Securities investments and other				Other current assets/ liabilities				Other noncurrent assets/ liabilities
Assets:
Trading securities			501,448				297,793				—				799,241				799,241				—				—				—
Available-for-sale securities
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds			—				1,355,335				—				1,355,335				5,084				1,350,251				—				—
Japanese local government bonds			—				60,539				—				60,539				6,515				54,024				—				—
Japanese corporate bonds			—				140,635				3,346				143,981				5,727				138,254				—				—
Foreign government bonds			—				41,460				—				41,460				2,309				39,151				—				—
Foreign corporate bonds			—				402,694				15,853				418,547				124,680				293,867				—				—
Other			—				—				884				884				—				884				—				—
Equity securities			115,200				121				—				115,321				—				115,321				—				—
Other investments *1			7,179				4,027				13,463				24,669				—				24,669				—				—
Derivative assets *2, *3			437				17,391				—				17,828				—				—				17,257				571
Total assets			624,264				2,319,995				33,546				2,977,805				943,556				2,016,421				17,257				571
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities*2,*3			668				48,467				—				49,135				—				—				20,680				28,455
Total liabilities			668				48,467				—				49,135				—				—				20,680				28,455

 

 

		Yen in millions
		December 31, 2016
																		Presentation in the consolidated balance sheets
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total				Marketable securities				Securities investments and other				Other current assets/ liabilities				Other noncurrent assets/ liabilities
Assets:
Trading securities			584,629				307,181				—				891,810				891,810				—				—				—
Available-for-sale securities
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds			—				1,355,156				—				1,355,156				17,157				1,337,999				—				—
Japanese local government bonds			—				62,347				—				62,347				9,332				53,015				—				—
Japanese corporate bonds			—				167,228				3,328				170,556				4,949				165,607				—				—
Foreign government bonds			—				18,939				—				18,939				2,923				16,016				—				—
Foreign corporate bonds			—				378,900				18,718				397,618				96,718				300,900				—				—
Other			—				—				15,886				15,886				—				15,886				—				—
Equity securities			122,068				147				—				122,215				—				122,215				—				—
Other investments *1			7,780				4,594				11,360				23,734				—				23,734				—				—
Derivative assets *2, *3			159				32,861				—				33,020				—				—				31,338				1,682
Total assets			714,636				2,327,353				49,292				3,091,281				1,022,889				2,035,372				31,338				1,682
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities*2,*3			3,520				52,354				—				55,874				—				—				36,138				19,736
Total liabilities			3,520				52,354				—				55,874				—				—				36,138				19,736

 

*1 Other investments include certain hybrid financial instruments and certain private equity investments.

*2 Derivative assets and liabilities are recognized and disclosed on a gross basis.

*3 The potential effect of offsetting on assets and liabilities, which primarily consists of derivatives subject to master netting agreements and/or collateral, is insignificant.

 

Sony also has assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when certain circumstances occur. The circumstances include when long-lived assets are measured at the lesser of carrying value or fair value if such assets are held for sale or when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are determined to be less than the carrying value of the asset or asset group. During the six months ended September 30, 2016, Sony measured fair value of long-lived assets related to the camera module business in the Semiconductors segment and recorded impairment losses of 23,860 million yen. These measurements are classified as level 3 because significant unobservable inputs, such as conditions of the assets or projections of future cash flows, the timing of such cash flows and the discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, were considered in the fair value measurement.

 

Refer to Note 7. During the three months ended December 31, 2016, Sony recorded an impairment charge against the goodwill of the Production & Distribution reporting unit in the Pictures segment. Sony’s determination of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit was based on the present value of expected future cash flows including a terminal value which is based on an exit price using an earnings multiple applied to the final year of the forecasted earnings, and which also takes into consideration a control premium. These measurements are classified as a level 3 because significant unobservable inputs, such as the projections of future cash flows, the timing of such cash flows, the earnings multiple, the growth rates beyond the forecast and mid-range plan periods, and the discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, were considered in the fair value measurements.

 

 

4.

Supplemental equity and comprehensive income information

 

(1)

Stockholders’ Equity

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of Sony Corporation’s stockholders’ equity, noncontrolling interests and the total equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		Sony Corporation’s stockholders’ equity				Noncontrolling interests				Total equity
Balance at March 31, 2015			2,317,077				611,392				2,928,469
Issuance of new shares			301,708				—				301,708
Exercise of stock acquisition rights			1,752				—				1,752
Stock-based compensation			977				—				977
Comprehensive income:
Net income			236,128				48,702				284,830
Other comprehensive income, net of tax ―
Unrealized losses on securities			(33,853	)			(1,011	)			(34,864	)
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments			2,114				—				2,114
Pension liability adjustment			1,361				5				1,366
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(21,589	)			(650	)			(22,239	)
Total comprehensive income			184,161				47,046				231,207
Dividends declared			(12,612	)			(19,947	)			(32,559	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other			(13,545	)			4,139				(9,406	)
Balance at December 31, 2015			2,779,518				642,630				3,422,148

 

		Yen in millions
		Sony Corporation’s stockholders’ equity				Noncontrolling interests				Total equity
Balance at March 31, 2016			2,463,340				661,070				3,124,410
Exercise of stock acquisition rights			2,314				—				2,314
Stock-based compensation			1,452				—				1,452
Comprehensive income:
Net income			45,639				37,193				82,832
Other comprehensive income, net of tax ―
Unrealized losses on securities			(12,064	)			(13,581	)			(25,645	)
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments			3,689				1				3,690
Pension liability adjustment			9,175				122				9,297
Foreign currency translation adjustments			7,805				(2,428	)			5,377
Total comprehensive income			54,244				21,307				75,551
Dividends declared			(12,625	)			(16,480	)			(29,105	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other			(55,791	)			(39,546	)			(95,337	)
Balance at December 31, 2016			2,452,934				626,351				3,079,285

 

There was no material effect of changes in Sony Corporation’s ownership interest in its subsidiaries on Sony Corporation’s stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016.

 

In September, 2016, Sony obtained full ownership of its U.S.-based music publishing subsidiary by acquiring the 50% interest in the subsidiary held by a third-party investor. The aggregate cash consideration paid to the third-party investor was 750 million U.S. dollars, including 17 million U.S. dollars of distributions to which the subsidiary previously committed. The difference between cash consideration paid and the decrease in the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interests was recognized as a decrease to additional paid-in capital of 70,730 million yen.

 

 

(2)

Other Comprehensive Income

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax by component for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		Unrealized gains (losses) on securities				Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments				Pension liability adjustment				Foreign currency translation adjustments				Total
Balance at March 31, 2015			154,153				—				(201,131	)			(338,305	)			(385,283	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			10,577				4,176				(359	)			(22,239	)			(7,845	)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income			(45,441	)			(2,062	)			1,725				—				(45,778	)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			(34,864	)			2,114				1,366				(22,239	)			(53,623	)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(1,011	)			—				5				(650	)			(1,656	)
Balance at December 31, 2015			120,300				2,114				(199,770	)			(359,894	)			(437,250	)

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Unrealized gains (losses) on securities				Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments				Pension liability adjustment				Foreign currency translation adjustments				Total
Balance at March 31, 2016			140,736				(1,198	)			(371,739	)			(421,117	)			(653,318	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(25,788	)			6,125				(340	)			5,377				(14,626	)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income			143				(2,435	)			9,637				—				7,345
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)			(25,645	)			3,690				9,297				5,377				(7,281	)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(13,581	)			1				122				(2,428	)			(15,886	)
Balance at December 31, 2016			128,672				2,491				(362,564	)			(413,312	)			(644,713	)

 

 

5.

Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted EPS

 

Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders per share (“EPS”) for the nine and three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 is as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders for basic and diluted EPS computation			236,128				45,639

 

		Thousands of shares
Weighted-average shares outstanding			1,229,937				1,261,862
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock acquisition rights			2,347				2,237
Zero coupon convertible bonds			15,974				23,962
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS computation			1,248,258				1,288,061

 

		Yen
Basic EPS			191.98				36.17
Diluted EPS			189.17				35.43

 

Potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 were 8,862 thousand shares and 8,014 thousand shares, respectively. The potential shares related to stock acquisition rights were excluded as anti-dilutive for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 when the exercise price for those shares was in excess of the average market value of Sony’s common stock for the period. The zero coupon convertible bonds issued in July 2015 were included in the diluted EPS calculation under the if-converted method beginning upon issuance.

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Net income attributable to Sony Corporation’s stockholders for basic and diluted EPS computation			120,134				19,631

 

		Thousands of shares
Weighted-average shares outstanding			1,261,274				1,262,223
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock acquisition rights			1,984				2,187
Zero coupon convertible bonds			23,962				23,962
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS computation			1,287,220				1,288,372

 

		Yen
Basic EPS			95.25				15.55
Diluted EPS			93.33				15.24

 

Potential shares of common stock that were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 were 8,862 thousand shares and 8,014 thousand shares, respectively. The potential shares related to stock acquisition rights were excluded as anti-dilutive for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 when the exercise price for those shares was in excess of the average market value of Sony’s common stock for the period. The zero coupon convertible bonds issued in July 2015 were included in the diluted EPS calculation under the if-converted method beginning upon issuance.

 

 

6.      Kumamoto Earthquake

 

In April 2016, a series of earthquakes occurred in the Kumamoto region of Japan. These earthquakes caused damage to certain fixed assets, including buildings, machinery and equipment, as well as inventories in manufacturing sites located in the Kumamoto region.

 

For the nine months ended December 31, 2016, Sony incurred incremental losses and associated expenses including repair costs of fixed assets and a loss on disposal of inventories directly related to the damage caused by the earthquakes of 15,675 million yen. These losses and expenses were primarily recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income and were offset by insurance recoveries of 10,000 million yen, as described below. In addition, Sony incurred other expenses of 9,251 million yen, which included idle facility costs at manufacturing sites. These expenses were primarily recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Sony has insurance policies that cover certain damage directly caused by the earthquakes for Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries, including damage at manufacturing sites. The insurance policies cover the damage and costs associated with fixed assets and inventories, as well as incremental expenses including removal and cleaning costs. These policies also provide business interruption coverage, including coverage for lost profits. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016, Sony recorded insurance receivables of 10,000 million yen, representing a portion of the insurance recoveries that were deemed probable of collection up to the extent of the amount of corresponding losses recognized in the same period. Of the insurance receivables recorded during the period, substantially all relate to damaged assets and inventories, and do not include amounts for business interruption or lost profits. Sony concluded that the recoveries from insurance claims are probable based on the coverage under valid policies, communications with the insurance carriers, Sony’s past claims history with the insurance carriers, and Sony’s assessment that the insurance carriers have the financial ability to pay the claims. These receivables are recorded within other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

7.      Impairment of goodwill in the Pictures segment

 

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying value.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2016, Sony made a downward revision in the future profitability projection for the Motion Pictures business within the Pictures segment primarily due to a lowering of previous expectations regarding the home entertainment business, mainly driven by an acceleration of market decline. The future profitability projection for the Motion Pictures business reflects a reduction in underlying profitability projections of film performance largely mitigated by measures identified to improve the profitability of the Motion Pictures business.

 

Sony assessed the aforementioned events and circumstances and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the Production & Distribution reporting unit (which includes the Motion Pictures and the Television Productions business) was less than its carrying value. Accordingly, Sony conducted the goodwill impairment tests using this new profitability projection and recalculated the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit. As a result of this recalculation, the carrying value of the goodwill was determined to be zero.

 

Consequently, the entire amount of the goodwill in the Production & Distribution reporting unit, 112,069 million yen, was impaired, in the three months ended December 31, 2016. The impairment charge is included in other operating expense, net in the consolidated statements of income, and is recorded entirely within the Pictures segment.

 

8.      Commitments, contingent liabilities and other

 

(1)      Loan commitments

 

Subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment have entered into loan agreements with their customers in accordance with the condition of the contracts. As of December 31, 2016, the total unused portion of the lines of credit extended under these contracts was 33,355 million yen. The aggregate amounts of future year-by-year payments for these loan commitments cannot be determined.

 

(2)       Purchase commitments and other

 

Purchase commitments and other outstanding commitments as of December 31, 2016 amounted to 375,512 million yen. The major components of these commitments are as follows:

 

 

Certain subsidiaries in the Pictures segment have entered into agreements with creative talent for the development and production of motion pictures and television programming as well as agreements with third parties to acquire completed motion pictures, or certain rights therein, and to acquire the rights to broadcast certain live action sporting events. These agreements cover various periods mainly within three years. As of December 31, 2016, these subsidiaries were committed to make payments under such contracts of 108,734 million yen.

 

Certain subsidiaries in the Music segment have entered into long-term contracts with recording artists, songwriters and companies for the future production, distribution and/or licensing of music product. These contracts cover various periods mainly within five years. As of December 31, 2016, these subsidiaries were committed to make payments of 63,478 million yen under such long-term contracts.

 

In August 2016, subsidiaries in the Pictures segment entered into agreements with a third party and its subsidiaries to acquire TEN Sports Network (“TEN”) for a purchase price of 385 million U.S. dollars. TEN is a leading sports network in South Asia that operates in the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, and the Caribbean. Completion of this acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

 

A subsidiary in the Game & Network Services segment has entered into long-term contracts for programming content. These contracts cover various periods mainly up to three years. As of December 31, 2016, this subsidiary was committed to make payments of 20,416 million yen under such long-term contracts.

 

Sony has entered into long-term sponsorship contracts related to advertising and promotional rights. These contracts cover various periods mainly within three years. As of December 31, 2016, Sony has committed to make payments of 14,403 million yen under such long-term contracts.

 

(3)      Litigation

 

In October 2009, Sony Corporation’s U.S. subsidiary, Sony Optiarc America Inc., received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) seeking information about its optical disk drive business. The European Commission and certain other governmental agencies outside the United States also opened investigations of competition in the optical disk drives market. In March 2014, the DOJ notified Sony that it had closed its investigation. In October 2015, the European Commission adopted a decision in which it fined Sony Corporation, its subsidiary in Japan, Sony Optiarc Inc., and two other subsidiaries 31 million euros. In December 2015, Sony filed an appeal with the European Union’s General Court. Sony understands that the investigations by several other agencies have now ended, and only one other agency continues to investigate. A number of direct and indirect purchaser lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, in which the plaintiffs allege that Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries violated antitrust laws and seek recovery of damages and other remedies. Certain of these lawsuits have reached settlement, including the class actions brought by the direct purchasers in the United States and the indirect purchasers in the United States, each of which has received court approval. However, certain other lawsuits continue. Based on the stage of the remaining investigations and cases, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of all of these matters.

 

In May 2011, Sony Corporation’s U.S. subsidiary, Sony Electronics Inc., received a subpoena from the DOJ Antitrust Division seeking information about its secondary batteries business. The European Commission and certain other governmental agencies outside the United States also opened investigations of competition in the secondary batteries market. In March 2014, the DOJ notified Sony that it had closed its investigation. In December 2016, Sony and certain of its subsidiaries reached a settlement with the European Commission. Sony agreed to pay a fine of approximately 29.8 million euros in connection with the settlement. Sony understands that only one other agency continues to investigate. A number of direct and indirect purchaser lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, in which the plaintiffs allege that Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries violated antitrust laws and seek recovery of damages and other remedies. Certain of these lawsuits have reached settlement, including the class actions brought by the direct purchasers and the indirect purchasers in the United States. With respect to the class actions, the United States District Court has approved Sony’s settlement with the direct purchasers, while Sony’s settlement with the indirect purchasers remains subject to court approval. However, certain other lawsuits continue. Based on the stage of the remaining investigations and cases, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of all of these matters.

 

A Sony subsidiary outside Japan is subject to a non-Japanese customs investigation in connection with the import and export of certain HE&S products. Sony is cooperating with the relevant government authorities. Based on the stage of this investigation and information currently available, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of this investigation.

 

 

In addition, Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are defendants or otherwise involved in other pending legal and regulatory proceedings. However, based upon the information currently available, Sony believes that the outcome from such legal and regulatory proceedings would not have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

 

(4)      Guarantees

 

Sony has issued guarantees that contingently require payments to guaranteed parties if certain specified events or conditions occur. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these guarantees as of December 31, 2016 amounted to 4,875 million yen.

 

 

9.      Business segment information

 

The reportable segments presented below are the segments of Sony for which separate financial information is available and for which operating profit or loss amounts are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM does not evaluate segments using discrete asset information. Sony’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer and President.

 

Sony realigned its business segments from the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 to reflect a change in the Corporate Executive Officers in charge of certain segments and modifications to the organizational structure of certain segments as of April 1, 2016. As a result of this realignment, Sony has separated the Devices segment into a Semiconductors segment and a Components segment. In addition, the operations of the automotive camera business, which were included in the Imaging Products & Solutions (“IP&S”) segment, and the operations of the Imaging Device Development Division, which were included in Corporate and elimination, are now included in the Semiconductors segment. Additionally, certain operations which were included in All Other are now included in the Music segment. In connection with these realignments, the sales and operating revenue and operating income (loss) of each segment for the comparable period have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

The Mobile Communications (“MC”) segment includes the manufacture and sales of mobile phones and an Internet-related service businesses. The Game & Network Services (“G&NS”) segment includes the manufacture and sales of home gaming products, network services businesses and production and sales of software. The IP&S segment includes the Still and Video Cameras business. The Home Entertainment & Sound (“HE&S”) segment includes Televisions as well as Audio and Video businesses. The Semiconductors segment includes the image sensors and camera modules businesses. The Components segment includes the batteries and recording media businesses. The Pictures segment includes Motion Pictures, Television Productions and Media Networks businesses. The Music segment includes Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform businesses. The Financial Services segment primarily represents individual life insurance and non-life insurance businesses in the Japanese market and a bank business in Japan. All Other consists of various operating activities, including the disc overseas manufacturing business. Sony’s products and services are generally unique to a single operating segment.

 

 

Business segments -

  

Sales and operating revenue:

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Sales and operating revenue:
Mobile Communications -
Customers			940,077				598,855
Intersegment			4,186				4,435
Total			944,263				603,290
Game & Network Services -
Customers			1,172,200				1,212,613
Intersegment			64,159				55,345
Total			1,236,359				1,267,958
Imaging Products & Solutions -
Customers			525,613				419,662
Intersegment			4,860				5,055
Total			530,473				424,717
Home Entertainment & Sound -
Customers			941,252				820,799
Intersegment			2,954				3,422
Total			944,206				824,221
Semiconductors -
Customers			475,528				484,332
Intersegment			115,667				87,714
Total			591,195				572,046
Components -
Customers			149,660				123,696
Intersegment			25,924				18,521
Total			175,584				142,217
Pictures -
Customers			614,806				599,920
Intersegment			2,604				665
Total			617,410				600,585
Music -
Customers			440,266				458,256
Intersegment			11,083				12,366
Total			451,349				470,622
Financial Services -
Customers			807,092				806,954
Intersegment			5,069				5,417
Total			812,161				812,371
All Other -
Customers			190,330				152,759
Intersegment			67,479				48,369
Total			257,809				201,128
Corporate and elimination			(279,198	)			(219,509	)
Consolidated total			6,281,611				5,699,646

 

G&NS intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with All Other.

 

Semiconductors intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the MC segment, the G&NS segment and the IP&S segment.

 

All Other intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Pictures segment, the Music segment and the G&NS segment.

 

Corporate and elimination includes certain brand and patent royalty income.

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Sales and operating revenue:
Mobile Communications -
Customers			382,262				247,173
Intersegment			2,252				1,424
Total			384,514				248,597
Game & Network Services -
Customers			565,220				596,997
Intersegment			21,868				20,702
Total			587,088				617,699
Imaging Products & Solutions -
Customers			183,029				165,260
Intersegment			1,778				1,859
Total			184,807				167,119
Home Entertainment & Sound -
Customers			400,564				351,983
Intersegment			1,428				1,442
Total			401,992				353,425
Semiconductors -
Customers			165,701				205,021
Intersegment			34,272				28,847
Total			199,973				233,868
Components -
Customers			49,248				46,289
Intersegment			8,094				5,132
Total			57,342				51,421
Pictures -
Customers			259,800				224,771
Intersegment			2,319				385
Total			262,119				225,156
Music -
Customers			177,485				173,218
Intersegment			4,280				5,289
Total			181,765				178,507
Financial Services -
Customers			320,368				317,342
Intersegment			1,675				1,800
Total			322,043				319,142
All Other -
Customers			71,033				63,545
Intersegment			25,233				18,724
Total			96,266				82,269
Corporate and elimination			(97,097	)			(79,704	)
Consolidated total			2,580,812				2,397,499

 

G&NS intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with All Other.

 

Semiconductors intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the MC segment, the G&NS segment and the IP&S segment.

 

All Other intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Pictures segment, the Music segment and the G&NS segment.

 

Corporate and elimination includes certain brand and patent royalty income.

 

 

Segment profit or loss:

  

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Operating income (loss):
Mobile Communications			(19,377	)			25,331
Game & Network Services			83,547				113,051
Imaging Products & Solutions			63,649				43,467
Home Entertainment & Sound			57,837				63,731
Semiconductors			88,070				(20,567	)
Components			(36,524	)			(45,098	)
Pictures			(13,795	)			(114,207	)
Music			73,192				60,373
Financial Services			139,367				111,106
All Other			6,875				4,150
Total			442,841				241,337
Corporate and elimination			(55,771	)			(47,026	)
Consolidated operating income			387,070				194,311
Other income			62,392				9,920
Other expenses			(45,278	)			(40,468	)
Consolidated income before income taxes			404,184				163,763

 

Operating income (loss) is sales and operating revenue less costs and expenses, and includes equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies.

 

Corporate and elimination includes headquarters restructuring costs and certain other corporate expenses including the amortization of certain intellectual property assets such as the cross-licensing of intangible assets acquired from Ericsson at the time of the Sony Mobile Communications acquisition, which are not allocated to segments.

 

Pursuant to a separation of Sony’s businesses into distinct subsidiaries and a realignment of corporate functions, beginning from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, a change has been made to the method of calculating the amount of corporate costs allocated to each business segment and the amount of royalties paid by each business segment for brand and patent utilization. As a result of this change, an increase in corporate income of 23,954 million yen is included in the Corporate and elimination for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Conversely, an increase in expenses totaling the same amount is included in each of the following business segments: 2,291 million yen in the MC segment, 1,789 million yen in the G&NS segment, 2,551 million yen in the IP&S segment, 10,135 million yen in the HE&S segment, 2,746 million yen in the Semiconductors segment, 1,050 million yen in the Components segment, 1,895 million yen in the Pictures segment and 1,497 million yen in the Music segment. There is no change to the Financial Services segment. These changes have no impact on consolidated operating income.

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015				2016
Operating income (loss):
Mobile Communications			24,148				21,218
Game & Network Services			40,168				50,028
Imaging Products & Solutions			22,823				21,101
Home Entertainment & Sound			31,151				25,934
Semiconductors			21,285				27,166
Components			(32,728	)			(3,724	)
Pictures			20,358				(106,774	)
Music			27,316				27,982
Financial Services			52,220				28,996
All Other			5,780				1,914
Total			212,521				93,841
Corporate and elimination			(10,376	)			(1,469	)
Consolidated operating income			202,145				92,372
Other income			3,313				2,783
Other expenses			(12,178	)			(28,928	)
Consolidated income before income taxes			193,280				66,227

 

Operating income (loss) is sales and operating revenue less costs and expenses, and includes equity in net income (loss) of affiliated companies.

 

Corporate and elimination includes headquarters restructuring costs and certain other corporate expenses including the amortization of certain intellectual property assets such as the cross-licensing of intangible assets acquired from Ericsson at the time of the Sony Mobile Communications acquisition, which are not allocated to segments.

 

Pursuant to a separation of Sony’s businesses into distinct subsidiaries and a realignment of corporate functions, beginning from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, a change has been made to the method of calculating the amount of corporate costs allocated to each business segment and the amount of royalties paid by each business segment for brand and patent utilization. As a result of this change, an increase in corporate income of 13,664 million yen is included in the Corporate and elimination for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Conversely, an increase in expenses totaling the same amount is included in each of the following business segments: 1,047 million yen in the MC segment, 4,489 million yen in the G&NS segment, 909 million yen in the IP&S segment, 4,585 million yen in the HE&S segment, 1,089 million yen in the Semiconductors segment, 387 million yen in the Components segment, 648 million yen in the Pictures segment and 510 million yen in the Music segment. There is no change to the Financial Services segment. These changes have no impact on consolidated operating income.

 

 

Other Significant Items:

 

The following table includes a breakdown of sales and operating revenue to external customers by product category for certain segments. Sony management views each segment as a single operating segment.

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
Sales and operating revenue:		2015		2016
Mobile Communications		940,077		598,855
Game & Network Services
Hardware		624,488		505,409
Network		369,402		504,868
Other		178,310		202,336
Total		1,172,200		1,212,613
Imaging Products & Solutions
Still and Video Cameras		347,956		267,962
Other		177,657		151,700
Total		525,613		419,662
Home Entertainment & Sound
Televisions		650,398		579,811
Audio and Video		288,448		239,770
Other		2,406		1,218
Total		941,252		820,799
Semiconductors		475,528		484,332
Components		149,660		123,696
Pictures
Motion Pictures		298,467		265,701
Television Productions		148,171		168,661
Media Networks		168,168		165,558
Total		614,806		599,920
Music
Recorded Music		311,532		294,296
Music Publishing		52,263		46,791
Visual Media and Platform		76,471		117,169
Total		440,266		458,256
Financial Services		807,092		806,954
All Other		190,330		152,759
Corporate		24,787		21,800
Consolidated total		6,281,611		5,699,646

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
Sales and operating revenue:		2015		2016
Mobile Communications		382,262		247,173
Game & Network Services
Hardware		326,589		279,858
Network		152,067		212,701
Other		86,564		104,438
Total		565,220		596,997
Imaging Products & Solutions
Still and Video Cameras		121,751		110,962
Other		61,278		54,298
Total		183,029		165,260
Home Entertainment & Sound
Televisions		278,470		244,421
Audio and Video		121,975		106,916
Other		119		646
Total		400,564		351,983
Semiconductors		165,701		205,021
Components		49,248		46,289
Pictures
Motion Pictures		149,140		96,427
Television Productions		54,863		73,044
Media Networks		55,797		55,300
Total		259,800		224,771
Music
Recorded Music		131,637		114,833
Music Publishing		16,721		15,549
Visual Media and Platform		29,127		42,836
Total		177,485		173,218
Financial Services		320,368		317,342
All Other		71,033		63,545
Corporate		6,102		5,900
Consolidated total		2,580,812		2,397,499

 

In the G&NS segment, Hardware includes home and portable game consoles; Network includes network services relating to game, video and music content provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment; Other includes packaged software and peripheral devices. In the IP&S segment, Still and Video Cameras includes interchangeable lens cameras, compact digital cameras, consumer video cameras and video cameras for broadcast; Other includes display products such as projectors and medical equipment. In the HE&S segment, Televisions includes LCD televisions; Audio and Video includes Blu-ray disc players and recorders, home audio, headphones and memory-based portable audio devices. The Semiconductors segment includes image sensors and camera modules. The Components segment includes batteries and recording media. In the Pictures segment, Motion Pictures includes the worldwide production, acquisition and distribution of motion pictures and direct-to-video content; Television Productions includes the production, acquisition and distribution of television programming; Media Networks includes the operation of television and digital networks worldwide. In the Music segment, Recorded Music includes the distribution of physical and digital recorded music and revenue derived from artists’ live performances; Music Publishing includes the management and licensing of the words and music of songs; Visual Media and Platform includes the production and distribution of animation titles, including game applications based on the animation titles, and various service offerings for music and visual products. 

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
		2015		2016
Depreciation and amortization:
Mobile Communications		18,256		14,998
Game & Network Services		14,750		18,803
Imaging Products & Solutions		20,540		18,627
Home Entertainment & Sound		16,815		14,732
Semiconductors		72,561		75,997
Components		8,132		1,800
Pictures		16,645		14,733
Music		13,455		11,443
Financial Services, including deferred insurance acquisition costs		56,570		52,350
All Other		7,556		3,647
Total		245,280		227,130
Corporate		29,850		32,424
Consolidated total		275,130		259,554

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31, 2015
		Total net restructuring charges		Depreciation associated with restructured assets		Total
Restructuring charges and associated depreciation:
Mobile Communications		14,300		646		14,946
Game & Network Services		135		—		135
Imaging Products & Solutions		64		—		64
Home Entertainment & Sound		503		—		503
Semiconductors		30		—		30
Components		—		—		—
Pictures		1		—		1
Music		439		—		439
Financial Services		—		—		—
All Other and Corporate		4,749		951		5,700
Consolidated total		20,221		1,597		21,818

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31, 2016
		Total net restructuring charges		Depreciation associated with restructured assets		Total
Restructuring charges and associated depreciation:
Mobile Communications		65		127		192
Game & Network Services		6		—		6
Imaging Products & Solutions		174		—		174
Home Entertainment & Sound		542		—		542
Semiconductors		(0)		—		(0)
Components		32,833		—		32,833
Pictures		1,643		(0)		1,643
Music		1,655		—		1,655
Financial Services		—		—		—
All Other and Corporate		2,329		32		2,361
Consolidated total		39,247		159		39,406

 

Depreciation associated with restructured assets as used in the context of the disclosures regarding restructuring activities refers to the increase in depreciation expense caused by revising the useful life and the salvage value of depreciable fixed assets under an approved restructuring plan. Any impairment of the assets is recognized immediately in the period it is identified.

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
		2015		2016
Depreciation and amortization:
Mobile Communications		6,049		5,071
Game & Network Services		5,603		6,644
Imaging Products & Solutions		6,535		6,412
Home Entertainment & Sound		5,428		4,962
Semiconductors		25,786		24,620
Components		2,682		242
Pictures		5,922		5,052
Music		4,650		4,070
Financial Services, including deferred insurance acquisition costs		16,005		9,999
All Other		4,564		1,012
Total		83,224		68,084
Corporate		7,851		10,410
Consolidated total		91,075		78,494

 

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31, 2015
		Total net restructuring charges		Depreciation associated with restructured assets		Total
Restructuring charges and associated depreciation:
Mobile Communications		2,530		106		2,636
Game & Network Services		120		—		120
Imaging Products & Solutions		4		—		4
Home Entertainment & Sound		555		—		555
Semiconductors		26		—		26
Components		—		—		—
Pictures		(169)		—		(169)
Music		104		—		104
Financial Services		—		—		—
All Other and Corporate		2,397		409		2,806
Consolidated total		5,567		515		6,082

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31, 2016
		Total net restructuring charges		Depreciation associated with restructured assets		Total
Restructuring charges and associated depreciation:
Mobile Communications		38		6		44
Game & Network Services		—		—		—
Imaging Products & Solutions		157		—		157
Home Entertainment & Sound		529		—		529
Semiconductors		(3)		—		(3)
Components		—		—		—
Pictures		752		(4)		748
Music		837		—		837
Financial Services		—		—		—
All Other and Corporate		2,741		32		2,773
Consolidated total		5,051		34		5,085

 

Depreciation associated with restructured assets as used in the context of the disclosures regarding restructuring activities refers to the increase in depreciation expense caused by revising the useful life and the salvage value of depreciable fixed assets under an approved restructuring plan. Any impairment of the assets is recognized immediately in the period it is identified.

 

 

Geographic Information –

 

Sales and operating revenue attributed to countries and areas based on location of external customers are as follows:

 

		Yen in millions
		Nine months ended December 31
Sales and operating revenue:		2015		2016
Japan		1,746,196		1,772,928
United States		1,332,480		1,259,503
Europe		1,468,733		1,240,258
China		431,370		409,385
Asia-Pacific		757,067		657,680
Other Areas		545,765		359,892
Total		6,281,611		5,699,646

 

		Yen in millions
		Three months ended December 31
Sales and operating revenue:		2015		2016
Japan		689,084		718,286
United States		586,469		543,731
Europe		665,849		551,263
China		150,074		169,318
Asia-Pacific		280,458		264,805
Other Areas		208,878		150,096
Total		2,580,812		2,397,499

 

Major countries and areas in each geographic segment excluding Japan, United States and China are as follows: 

 

(1) Europe:		United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Spain and Sweden
(2) Asia-Pacific:		India, South Korea and Oceania
(3) Other Areas:		The Middle East/Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Canada

 

There are no individually material countries with respect to sales and operating revenue included in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Other Areas.

 

Transfers between reportable business segments or geographic areas are made at amounts which Sony’s management believes approximate arms-length transactions.

  

There were no sales and operating revenue with any single major external customer for the nine and three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2016.

 

 

10.  Subsequent events

 

On February 2, 2017, Sony sold 17,302,700 shares of its 127,381,600 shares of M3, Inc. (“M3”) to a third party. In connection with the sale, Sony expects to recognize a gain on the sale of 37,167 million yen in other operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statement of income during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. Sony expects to continue to account for M3 as an equity method investment.

 

 

(2)   Other Information

 

(1) Dividends declared

 

An interim cash dividend for Sony Corporation’s common stock was approved at the Board of Directors meeting held on November 1, 2016 as below:

  

1. Total amount of interim cash dividends:

 12,621 million yen

2. Amount of interim cash dividends per share:

 10.00 yen

3. Payment date:

 December 1, 2016

 

Note: Interim cash dividends were distributed to the shareholders recorded or registered as the holders or pledgees of shares in Sony Corporation’s register of shareholders at the end of September 30, 2016.

 

(2) Litigation

 

In October 2009, Sony Corporation’s U.S. subsidiary, Sony Optiarc America Inc., received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) seeking information about its optical disk drive business. The European Commission and certain other governmental agencies outside the United States also opened investigations of competition in the optical disk drives market. In March 2014, the DOJ notified Sony that it had closed its investigation. In October 2015, the European Commission adopted a decision in which it fined Sony Corporation, its subsidiary in Japan, Sony Optiarc Inc., and two other subsidiaries 31 million euros. In December 2015, Sony filed an appeal with the European Union’s General Court. Sony understands that the investigations by several other agencies have now ended, and only one other agency continues to investigate. A number of direct and indirect purchaser lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, in which the plaintiffs allege that Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries violated antitrust laws and seek recovery of damages and other remedies. Certain of these lawsuits have reached settlement, including the class actions brought by the direct purchasers in the United States and the indirect purchasers in the United States, each of which has received court approval. However, certain other lawsuits continue. Based on the stage of the remaining investigations and cases, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of all of these matters.

  

In May 2011, Sony Corporation’s U.S. subsidiary, Sony Electronics Inc., received a subpoena from the DOJ Antitrust Division seeking information about its secondary batteries business. The European Commission and certain other governmental agencies outside the United States also opened investigations of competition in the secondary batteries market. In March 2014, the DOJ notified Sony that it had closed its investigation. In December 2016, Sony and certain of its subsidiaries reached a settlement with the European Commission. Sony agreed to pay a fine of approximately 29.8 million euros in connection with the settlement. Sony understands that only one other agency continues to investigate. A number of direct and indirect purchaser lawsuits, including class actions, have been filed in certain jurisdictions, including the United States, in which the plaintiffs allege that Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries violated antitrust laws and seek recovery of damages and other remedies. Certain of these lawsuits have reached settlement, including the class actions brought by the direct purchasers and the indirect purchasers in the United States. With respect to the class actions, the United States District Court has approved Sony’s settlement with the direct purchasers, while Sony’s settlement with the indirect purchasers remains subject to court approval. However, certain other lawsuits continue. Based on the stage of the remaining investigations and cases, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of all of these matters.

 

A Sony subsidiary outside Japan is subject to a non-Japanese customs investigation in connection with the import and export of certain HE&S products. Sony is cooperating with the relevant government authorities. Based on the stage of this investigation and information currently available, it is not possible to estimate the amount of losses or range of possible losses, if any, that might ultimately result from adverse judgments, settlements or other resolution of this investigation.

 

In addition, Sony Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are defendants or otherwise involved in other pending legal and regulatory proceedings. However, based upon the information currently available, Sony believes that the outcome from such legal and regulatory proceedings would not have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.