Sony announced on Thursday an upward revision of its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending in March, increasing it by two percent to JPY 1.34 trillion ($8.70 billion or approximately Rs. 75,67,538 crore). This adjustment comes in light of robust growth within its gaming division.
Once primarily associated with consumer electronics like the Walkman, Sony’s portfolio now encompasses games, films, music, and image sensors.
The gaming segment reported a 37 percent increase in profit for the October to December quarter, bolstered by rising sales, including contributions from network services, along with a decrease in hardware-related losses.
Ahead of the earnings announcement, Sony’s shares saw a one percent increase, which has led to an overall gain of one percent year-to-date, following peaks reached last week.
Hiroki Totoki is set to enhance his influence over the conglomerate, transitioning to the role of CEO in April. Totoki has previously held the position of finance chief and has taken on executive responsibilities within the gaming division.
During the reported quarter, Sony sold 9.5 million units of its PlayStation 5, a rise from 8.2 million units in the same period the previous year.
Totoki indicated optimism regarding upcoming game releases that are expected to sustain the games business in the next fiscal year.
Notable upcoming titles include Grand Theft Auto VI, reaffirmed for release in autumn by Take-Two Interactive Software last week, as well as the in-house title Ghost of Yotei, which follows the successful Ghost of Tsushima, known for its 13 million unit sales across PlayStation and PC.
There has also been an increase of over 10 percent in monthly active users on the PlayStation Network, with the figure reaching 129 million compared to three months prior, despite a recent global service outage.
The profits from Sony’s music division have received a boost from enhanced revenue from streaming services.
In the third quarter, overall group profit stood at JPY 469.3 billion (about Rs. 40,82,051 crore), representing a one percent growth year-on-year, surpassing analyst predictions.
The company reported flat operating profits in its hardware segment, which includes cameras, largely due to a decline in television sales.
As part of its strategy to expand in the entertainment sector, Sony has agreed to invest in the media giant Kadokawa last year. Furthermore, the conglomerate has announced plans to repurchase up to 30 million shares for about JPY 50 billion (approximately Rs. 43,49,08 crore).
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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