a50137157.htm
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of January 2012
Commission File Number: 001-06439

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

1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)

The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
 
Form 20-F  X
Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Yes No X
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SONY CORPORATION
 
(Registrant)
   
   
 
By:  /s/  Masaru Kato
 
                (Signature)
 
Masaru Kato
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: January 19, 2012

List of materials

Documents attached hereto:
 
i) Press release announcing Sony Ericsson Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results and U.S. GAAP Equity Method Results for Sony’s Investment in Sony Ericsson Are Expected to Include Valuation Allowance Against Certain Deferred Tax Assets
 
 
 

 
 
 
January 19, 2012
Sony Corporation
 

Sony Ericsson Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results and U.S. GAAP Equity Method Results for Sony’s Investment
 in Sony Ericsson Are Expected to Include Valuation Allowance Against Certain Deferred Tax Assets


Today, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (“SEMC”), an affiliated company of Sony Corporation (“Sony”) which Sony accounts for under the equity method, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2011 under accounting principles generally accepted in Sweden (“Swedish GAAP”), as attached.

At the same time, and as a result of Sony’s obligation to account for SEMC’s results under the equity method in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”), SEMC is recording a valuation allowance under US GAAP of approximately EUR 650 million (66 billion yen) against certain of its deferred tax assets.  Under the equity method, in Sony’s third quarter (October – December) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, Sony expects to reflect 50%, or approximately EUR 325 million (33 billion yen), of this valuation allowance in equity in net loss of affiliated companies in its consolidated financial results on a US GAAP basis.

As previously stated, Sony is currently reevaluating its forecast of consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, taking into account the transaction in connection with S-LCD Corporation announced on December 26, 2011, this valuation allowance and other factors, including the impact of the October 2011 floods in Thailand, that might affect its consolidated financial results forecast for the full year ending March 31, 2012.

In October 2011 Sony and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”) announced that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s stake in SEMC and that SEMC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony.  The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
 
 
 
 

 

 (For reference)  Sony’s consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, which was disclosed on November 2, 2011 and its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011
 
(Yen in billions)
   
Sales and
operating
revenue
   
Operating
income
   
Income
before
income tax
   
Net income (loss)
attributable to Sony
Corporation’s
stockholders
 
Consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012
  6,500     20     10     (90 )
Consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011
  7,181.3     199.8     205.0     (259.6 )
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
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PRESS RELEASE January 19, 2012

 
Sony Ericsson reports fourth quarter and full year 2011 results


·
Q4 loss reflects intense competition, price erosion and restructuring charges
·
65% year-on-year increase in Android-based XperiaTM smartphone quarterly sales
·
28 million Xperia smartphones shipped to date

The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011 is as follows*:

      Q4 2010       Q3 2011       Q4 2011    
FY 2010
   
FY 2011
 
Number of units shipped (million)     11.2       9.5       9.0       43.1       34.4  
Average selling price (Euro)
    136       166       143       146       152  
Sales (Euro m.)
    1,528       1,586       1,288       6,294       5,212  
Gross margin (%)
    30 %     27 %     24 %     29 %     28 %
Operating income (Euro m.)
    39       38       -227       159       -206  
Operating margin (%)
    3 %     2 %     -18 %     3 %     -4 %
   Restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    -3       -       -93       -42       -93  
Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    43       38       -134       202       -113  
   Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)
    3 %     2 %     -10 %     3 %     -2 %
Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)
    35       31       -247       147       -243  
   IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
    39       31       -154       189       -150  
Net income (Euro m.)
    8       0       -207       90       -247  

*All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.

Bert Nordberg, President and CEO of Sony Ericsson commented: “Our fourth quarter results reflected intense competition, unfavorable macroeconomic conditions and the effects of a natural disaster in Thailand this quarter. We are aligning our business to drive profitability and to meet customer needs. In spite of these challenges, throughout 2011 we’ve shifted our business from feature phones to smartphones, and our Android-based smartphone sales in the quarter increased by 65% year-on-year. The Xperia portfolio, including the recently announced Xperia NXT series, will serve as a cornerstone of our smartphone lineup in 2012.”
Units shipped during the quarter were 9 million, a 20% decrease year-on-year and a 5% decrease compared to last quarter. The year-on-year and sequential declines reflect a significantly lower number of feature phones shipped, partially offset by an increase in smartphone shipments. Sony Ericsson has shipped 28 million Xperia smartphones to date.

Average selling price (ASP) for the quarter was Euro 143, up 5% year-on-year but down 14% sequentially. The year-on-year increase is due to the shift to smartphones and geographic mix. The sequential decrease in ASP is attributed to geographic and product mix, including declining prices of products launched earlier in the year, and the absence of new products introduced in the fourth quarter.
 
 
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Sales for the quarter were approximately Euro 1.3 billion, down 16% year-on-year and 19% quarter over quarter. The year-on-year decline reflects the decrease of feature phone sales which was only partially offset by an increase in smartphone sales.  The sequential decline is due to geographic and product mix, resulting in lower sales of both smartphones and feature phones. Fourth quarter sales were negatively impacted by macroeconomic challenges in advanced economies contributing to weaker holiday sales, and certain component shortages from the flooding in Thailand in late October and early November 2011. Xperia smartphones accounted for approximately 80% of total sales in the fourth quarter.

The gross margin for the quarter was 24%, a decrease of 6 percentage points year-on-year and 3 percentage points from the previous quarter. The year-on-year and sequential decreases are attributed to product and geographic mix. Fourth quarter gross margin was also adversely affected by intense smartphone price competition which more than offset the benefit of royalty and other items.
 
 
Loss before taxes, excluding restructuring charges, was Euro 154 million for the quarter, compared to income of Euro 39 million for the same quarter last year and of Euro 31 million in the previous quarter.  The year-on-year and sequential declines are due to lower gross margin and increased operational expenses, including higher development and selling expenses.

In December 2011, Sony Ericsson launched a restructuring program including global workforce reductions to reduce costs and drive competitiveness. Restructuring charges for the quarter are Euro 93 million and the program is estimated to be completed by the end of 2012.

The quarter ended in a net loss of Euro 207 million, compared to a net income of Euro 8 million in the same quarter of the previous year, and essentially a break even result in the previous quarter.

Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was negative Euro 26 million. External borrowings were Euro 19 million during the quarter. Total borrowings were Euro 742 million at the end of the quarter. Total cash balances at December 31, 2011 were Euro 442 million.

Sony Ericsson estimates that its share of the global Android-based smartphone market was 10% in volume and 7% in value during the quarter and 10% in volume and 10% in value for the full year.

Sony Ericsson estimates that the global smartphone market for the full year 2011 increased by 60% in volume to 463 million units. Sony Ericsson estimates strong growth in the smartphone market in 2012.

In October 2011 Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”) announced that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s stake in Sony Ericsson and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony.  The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.


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

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Financial statements:
Consolidated income statement
Consolidated income statement – isolated quarters
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters
Net sales by market area by quarter
 
 
 
GRAPHIC
 

 
 
 

 

About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture between Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”). In October 2011 it was announced by Sony and Ericsson that Sony will acquire Ericsson’s stake in the company and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. The transaction is expected to close in late January to February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the ‘most entertaining smartphones’ in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press.

- ENDS –

CONTACTS:

Ericsson investor relations
Stefan Jelvin (Stockholm) +46 10 714 2039

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

Press / Media
Sony Ericsson global communications and PR
Cathy Davies (London) +44 208 762 5879
Holly Rossetti (London) + 44 208 762 5851
Gustaf Brusewitz (London) +44 208 762 5805

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

 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT* 
 
   
Oct-Dec
   
Jan-Dec
 
EUR million
 
2010
   
2011
   
Change
   
2010
   
2011
   
Change
 
                                     
                                     
Net sales
    1 528       1 288       -16 %     6 294       5 212       -17 %
Cost of sales
    -1 069       -985       -8 %     -4 440       -3 735       -16 %
Gross profit
    459       303       -34 %     1 853       1 477       -20 %
Gross margin %
    30 %     24 %  
-6
pp     29 %     28 %  
-1
pp
                                                 
Research and development expenses
    -191       -268       40 %     -746       -815       9 %
Selling and administrative expenses
    -236       -270       14 %     -986       -900       -9 %
Operating expenses**
    -427       -538       26 %     -1 732       -1 715       -1 %
                                                 
Other operating income, net
    7       8       14 %     38       32       -16 %
Operating income
    39       -227       -682 %     159       -206       -230 %
Operating margin %
    3 %     -18 %  
-21
pp     3 %     -4 %  
-7
pp
                                                 
Financial income
    2       4       100 %     18       19       6 %
Financial expenses
    -6       -24       300 %     -30       -56       87 %
Income before taxes
    35       -247       -806 %     147       -243       -265 %
                                                 
Taxes
    -27       46       -267 %     -48       19       -140 %
Minority interest
    0       -6       -       -9       -23       156 %
Net income
    8       -207       -2688 %     90       -247       -374 %
                                                 
Number of units shipped (million)
    11,2       9,0       -20 %     43,1       34,4       -20 %
ASP (EUR)
    136       143       5 %     146       152       4 %
                                                 
                                                 
EUR million
 
Oct-Dec
           
Jan-Dec
         
Restructuring charges
    2010       2011               2010       2011          
  Cost of sales
    2       0               -32       0          
  Research and development expenses
    0       -55               7       -55          
  Selling and administrative expenses
    -5       -38               -17       -38          
Total
    -3       -93               -42       -93          

* All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP
**Operating expenses in 2010 have been restated to reflect certain organizational changes.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS*
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
EUR million
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Net sales
    1 ,405       1 ,757       1 ,603       1 ,528       1, 145       1, 193       1, 586       1 ,288  
Cost of sales
    -975       -1,266       -1,130       -1,069       -763       -828       -1,159       -985  
Gross profit
    429       492       473       459       382       365       427       303  
Gross margin %
    31 %     28 %     30 %     30 %     33 %     31 %     27 %     24 %
                                                                 
Research and development expenses
    -185       -191       -179       -191       -173       -184       -190       -268  
Selling and administrative expenses
    -238       -272       -241       -236       -199       -224       -207       -270  
Operating expenses**
    -423       -463       -420       -427       -372       -408       -397       -538  
                                                                 
Other operating income, net
    14       7       10       7       10       6       8       8  
Operating income
    20       36       63       39       19       -37       38       -227  
Operating margin %
    1 %     2 %     4 %     3 %     2 %     -3 %     2 %     -18 %
                                                                 
Financial income
    7       2       7       2       3       5       7       4  
Financial expenses
    -9       -7       -8       -6       -8       -10       -14       -24  
Income before taxes
    18       31       62       35       15       -42       31       -247  
                                                                 
Taxes
    6       -16       -12       -27       -5       -3       -17       46  
Minority interest
    -3       -4       -2       0       1       -5       -14       -6  
Net income
    21       12       49       8       11       -50       0       -207  
                                                                 
Number of units shipped (million)
    10.5       11.0       10.4       11.2       8.1       7.6       9.5       9.0  
ASP (EUR)
    134       160       154       136       141       156       166       143  
 
EUR million
 
2010
   
2011
 
Restructuring charges
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
  Cost of sales
    2       -33       -3       2       -       -       -       0  
  Research and development expenses
    -2       -1       5       0       -       -       -       -55  
  Selling and administrative expenses
    -3       2       -6       -5       -       -       -       -38  
Total
    -3       -32       -4       -3       -       -       -       -93  
 
* All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
** Operating expenses in 2010 have been restated to reflect certain organizational changes.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET*
 
   
Dec 31
   
Jun 30
   
Sep 30
   
Dec 31
 
EUR million
 
2010
   
2011
   
2011
   
2011
 
                         
ASSETS
                       
                         
Total fixed and financial assets
    803       819       890       1,122  
                                 
Current assets
                               
Inventories
    460       570       656       447  
Accounts receivable
    836       872       1,090       692  
Other assets
    295       330       408       380  
Other short-term cash investments
    276       329       301       270  
Cash and bank
    329       188       165       172  
Total current assets
    2,196       2, 289       2,620       1,961  
                                 
                                 
Total assets
    2,999       3 ,108       3,510       3,083  
                                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
                               
                                 
Shareholders' equity
    532       451       507       309  
Minority interest
    42       43       60       58  
Total equity
    574       494       567       367  
                                 
Borrowing, Non Current
    100       0       0       0  
Other long-term liabilities
    32       31       40       44  
Total long-term liabilities
    132       31       40       44  
                                 
Accounts payable
    769       716       1 050       676  
Borrowing, Current
    130       769       718       742  
Other current liabilities
    1, 394       1,098       1,135       1,254  
Total current liabilities
    2 ,293       2,583       2,903       2,672  
                                 
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities
    2, 999       3,108       3, 510       3 ,083  
                                 
Net cash**
    375       -252       -252       -300  

* All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
**Net cash is defined as cash and bank deposit plus short-term cash investments less interest-bearing liabilities.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS*
 
   
Oct-Dec
   
Jan-Dec
 
EUR million
 
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
 
                         
OPERATING
                       
Net income
    8       -207       90       -247  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    -50       112       -156       -27  
      -42       -95       -65       -274  
                                 
Changes in operating net assets
    -86       69       -183       -276  
Cash flow from operating activities
    -128       -26       -248       -550  
                                 
INVESTING
                               
Investing activities
    -18       -19       -4       -113  
Cash flow from investing activities
    -18       -19       -4       -113  
                                 
FINANCING
                               
Financing activities
    - 178       11       - 60       496  
Cash flow from financing activities
    -178       11       -60       496  
                                 
Net change in cash
    -324       -34       -312       -167  
Cash, beginning of period
    921       466       878       605  
Translation difference in Cash
    7       10       38       4  
Cash, end of period
    605       442       605       442  

* All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS*
 
   
2010
   
2011
 
EUR million
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
                                                                 
OPERATING
                                                               
Net income
    21       12       49       8       11       -50       0       -207  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    -44       4       -66       -50       -137       -29       27       112  
      -23       16       -17       -42       -127       -79       27       -95  
                                                                 
Changes in operating net assets
    -72       13       -38       -86       -226       -145       26       69  
Cash flow from operating activities
    -94       29       -54       -128       -353       -224       53       -26  
                                                                 
INVESTING
                                                               
Investing activities
    27       -15       2       -18       -14       -21       -58       -19  
Cash flow from investing activities
    27       -15       2       -18       -14       -21       -58       -19  
                                                                 
FINANCING
                                                               
Financing activities
    150       0       - 32       - 178       375       165       - 56       11  
Cash flow from financing activities
    150       0       -32       -178       375       165       -56       11  
                                                                 
Net change in cash
    83       15       -85       -324       8       -80       -61       -34  
Cash, beginning of period
    878       980       1 039       921       605       599       516       466  
Translation difference in Cash
    19       45       -33       7       -14       -3       11       10  
Cash, end of period
    980       1, 039       921       605       599       516       466       442  

* All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
Sony Ericsson
NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER* 
 
EUR million
 
2010
   
2011
 
Isolated quarters
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
Europe, Middle East & Africa **
    711       876       837       795       485       435       480       571  
Americas
    201       223       222       205       151       193       121       199  
Asia
    493       659       544       528       509       565       985       518  
Total
    1,405       1, 757       1, 603       1, 528       1, 145       1, 193       1,586       1, 288  
** of which Western Europe
    525       668       632       569       307       323       313       355  
                                                                 
    2010     2011  
Sequential change (%)
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
Europe, Middle East & Africa **
    -26 %     23 %     -4 %     -5 %     -39 %     -10 %     10 %     19 %
Americas
    -9 %     11 %     0 %     -8 %     -26 %     28 %     -37 %     64 %
Asia
    -12 %     34 %     -17 %     -3 %     -4 %     11 %     74 %     -47 %
Total
    -20 %     25 %     -9 %     -5 %     -25 %     4 %     33 %     -19 %
** of which Western Europe
    -23 %     27 %     -5 %     -10 %     -46 %     5 %     -3 %     13 %
                                                                 
    2010     2011  
Year over year change (%)
    Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4       Q1       Q2       Q3       Q4  
Europe, Middle East & Africa **
    -27 %     -6 %     -4 %     -18 %     -32 %     -50 %     -43 %     -28 %
Americas
    1 %     14 %     -4 %     -8 %     -25 %     -13 %     -45 %     -3 %
Asia
    -12 %     17 %     6 %     -6 %     3 %     -14 %     81 %     -2 %
Total
    -19 %     4 %     -1 %     -13 %     -19 %     -32 %     -1 %     -16 %
** of which Western Europe
    -27 %     -1 %     -1 %     -16 %     -42 %     -52 %     -50 %     -38 %
                                                                 
    2010     2011  
Year to date
    1003       1006       1009       1012       1103       1106       1109       1112  
Europe, Middle East & Africa **
    711       1 ,587       2 ,424       3 ,219       485       919       1, 399       1,970  
Americas
    201       424       646       851       151       345       466       664  
Asia
    493       1, 152       1, 695       2, 224       509       1,075       2,060       2,577  
Total
    1 ,405       3 ,162       4, 765       6 ,294       1, 145       2 ,339       3 925       5, 211  
** of which Western Europe
    525       1,193       1 ,825       2 ,393       307       630       944       1 ,298  
                                                                 
    2010     2011  
YTD year over year change (%)
    1003       1006       1009       1012       1103       1106       1109       1112  
Europe, Middle East & Africa **
    -27 %     -17 %     -13 %     -14 %     -32 %     -42 %     -42 %     -39 %
Americas
    1 %     7 %     3 %     0 %     -25 %     -19 %     -28 %     -22 %
Asia
    -12 %     3 %     4 %     1 %     3 %     -7 %     22 %     16 %
Total
    -19 %     -8 %     -5 %     -7 %     -19 %     -26 %     -18 %     -17 %
** of which Western Europe
    -27 %     -15 %     -10 %     -12 %     -42 %     -47 %     -48 %     -46 %
 
*All amounts are according to Swedish GAAP.
 
 
 
GRAPHIC