Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE)

PS4

Value Line recc

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/02/02/this-tech-giant-doesnt-age-well.aspx

This Tech Giant Doesn't Age Well

Some things get better with time. Fine wine comes to mind as a classic example. Unfortunately, electronics giant Sony (NYSE: SNE ) isn't on that list, despite being around for 66 years.

The tech powerhouse has just put up third -quarter results, and red continues to be the primary color. Revenue declined to $23.4 billion, generating an operating loss of $1.2 billion and a net loss of more than $2 billion. The company attributed the shrinking top line to the floods in Thailand last year, deterioration in market conditions in developed countries, and pesky foreign exchange rates.

When people think Sony, they think consumer products and services. While that segment brings in the most revenue, $12.8 billion in the quarter, it also bleeds the most. The division generated an operating loss of $1.1 billion, the vast majority of the $1.2 billion consolidated operating loss. Its best-performing segment? Financial services.

Sony Financial Services includes its life insurance and bank subsidiaries, among others, and generated $418 million operating income, or a 15% operating margin. That tops its next-best music segment's $196 million in operating income, or 12% operating margin.

Sony expects to generate a $2.9 billion net loss for the fiscal year that ends next month, more than twice what it projected just three months ago. Sony has tapped a new CEO, insider Kazuo Hirai, to replace Howard Stringer in April. Hirai is known for jumpstarting Sony's PlayStation division through cost-cutting.

Although Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT ) Xbox 360 pounded both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii in November, selling 1.7 million consoles, compared with the PS3's 900,000 and the Wii's 860,000 that won't stop Sony from releasing its doomed PlayStation Vita stateside this month. Nor will the fact that Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL ) iOS and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG ) Android are decimating the dedicated handheld-gaming world. Apple's upcoming TV may even take a shot at consoles.

Steve Jobs had always said he drew much inspiration from Sony in his younger days. The tables have turned, and Sony is now looking at an Apple-esque approach to seamlessly integrate its hardware and content together. Hirai said Sony needs to focus more on the "user experience" and that it "can't just continue to be a great purveyor of hardware products."

Sony is a classic example of a once-innovative company that has failed to adapt, and its results are starting to show their age. I'm giving it an underperform CAPScall today, since I think this ship is too big for Hirai to turn it around in time.

huge losses, just a short term down for now, but could be in trouble

Not easy to say, since I used to have so much Sony equipment. Not anymore -- now Apple makes just about everything that matters to the general public.

Company has been in the red for a while, losing market share, poor liquidity

The stock is pretty beaten down as a result of the floods in Thailand and some other short term negative prospects. This is an internationally known brand that has been known for quality for years and I believe is poised to make a comeback. Hoping for a change in management at the Company soon, as current Management has left a lot to be desired.

Undervalued and under book value.

Stock will bounce back once consumer fears decrease this year

I am very bearish on the gaming markets, but SONY seems to be struggling with more than just bad short term problems. I believe these small 'tremors' are just the beginning of a major 'quake'. A drastic change in customer service policy and a change of leadership overall is needed before I would ever think of investing in this one.

Undervalued from a series of likely one-time events. Not well managed for a long term investment, but get in low now for when it returns to fair value.

Every bad thing seems priced in. I think they're ready to go in the next few years. Definitely a long term play.

Google will probably scoop this one too. Only question is how much they're willing to pay.

Fading into irrelevance. Only Apple can do proprietary

consumerist.com/2011/12/sonys-next-handheld-requires-sold-separately-memory-cards.html

Playstation Network outages, lackluster revenue from the music/entertainment products division, losses, PS3 nearing the end of its product lifecycle and facing competition from tablets, iPhones and everybody else...Sony has seen it all lately.

But the stock has fallen so much that I think it now properly reflects these events. So I ended my "Underperform" call recently and am rating this "Outperform" now because I think at this point we might want to remember that Sony still has a strong brand name, the PS4 development is in the pipeline, and when it comes out some people will still choose the PS4 and a new 3D TV rather than play games on their iPad.

While I'd like to say it can't go any lower, I have seen the bottom support level at 17 for several years now. The stock will never make it to the levels of old ($125+), but for a short term gain, this is an easy pick.

They and SONY invented NFC (Near Field Communication chips). Now they have clients like Google, Apple, NOKIA, Motorola, and MUCH MORE!...buying those chips to integrate them into their phones. Bottom line is that is like the analogy of "Producer and Artist"...who makes more money???? The answer: The Producer because he has "Clients" or artists to manage....so if his artists are making money, then the producer is making (more) money. The analogy "Producer & Artist" is for NXPI and SONY... they are the producers and e.g. Apple and GOOGLE are thier artists.

NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS WILL BECOME INEVITABLE!.

; )!

yo

From what I can see, Sony has a very complicated business model. I'm not only going to throw this into my too hard pile, but I'm going to rate it as an underperformer. It has to spend way to much money to keep up with customer demand. Berkshire Hathaway has induividual companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway that are self sufficient. Sony is a death trap for your money. Don't bother.