a6468240.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 October 2010
Commission File Number: 001-06439

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

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

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

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

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SONY CORPORATION
 
(Registrant)
   
   
 
By:  /s/  Masaru Kato
 
                (Signature)
 
Masaru Kato
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: October 15, 2010

List of materials

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

 
 
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PRESS RELEASE October 15, 2010
 

Sony Ericsson reports third quarter 2010 results
 
Q3 Highlights:
  
Turnaround continues with third consecutive quarter of profits
  
Continued success of smartphone portfolio keeps ASP at high level
  
Launch of Xperia™ models in new markets, including China and the U.S.


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

  Q3 2009   Q2 2010   Q3 2010  
Number of units shipped (million)
14.1   11.0   10.4  
Sales (Euro m.)
1,619   1,757   1,603  
Gross margin (%)
16 % 28 % 30 %
Operating income (Euro m.)
-193   36   63  
Operating margin (%)
-12 % 2 % 4 %
   Restructuring charges (Euro m.)
2   32   4  
   Operating income excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
-191   68   67  
   Operating margin excl. restructuring charges (%)
-12 % 4 % 4 %
Income before taxes (IBT) (Euro m.)
-199   31   62  
   IBT excl. restructuring charges (Euro m.)
-198   63   66  
Net income (Euro m.)
-164   12   49  
             
Average selling price (Euro)
114   160   154  


Bert Nordberg, President & CEO of Sony Ericsson commented, “Our third consecutive quarter of profitable results illustrates that Sony Ericsson’s overall performance is stabilising. Our strategy to focus on the smartphone segment is succeeding and smartphones now comprise more than 50% of our total sales. During the quarter, we launched our Android-based Xperia™ models in new markets, such as China and the U.S., and it is our ambition to become the global number one handset provider on the Android platform.”

Income before taxes for the quarter excluding restructuring charges was a profit of Euro 66 million following the positive effects of the transformation programme. Net income for the quarter was Euro 49 million, an increase of Euro 213 million year-on-year and of Euro 37 million sequentially.

The gross margin percentage was 30% and almost doubled year-on-year, reflective of the company turnaround.   

Units shipped in the quarter were 10.4 million, a decrease of 26% year-on-year and down 5% sequentially. Average selling price (ASP) in the quarter remained at a high level of Euro 154, a 34% increase year-on-year and a decrease of 4% sequentially, due to product and geographical mix. As a result, sales for the quarter were Euro 1,603 million, essentially flat year-on-year and a 9% decrease sequentially.
 
 
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Sony Ericsson’s net cash position as of September 30, 2010 was Euro 538 million. The negative cash flow from operating activities was Euro 54 million, mainly due to payments during the quarter related to the transformation programme.
 
Market share in unit base for the quarter remained flat sequentially and is estimated to be approximately 4%. The value market share is estimated to be approximately 6%.  

Sony Ericsson maintains a forecast of slight growth in units in the global handset market in 2010.

The liquid identity is a registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. 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 and additional information:

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

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

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

Press / Media
Sony Ericsson global communications and PR
Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860
Gustaf Brusewitz (London) +44 7960 58 19 68

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
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
 
Jul-Sep
   
Jan-Sep
 
EUR million
2009
 
2010
 
Change
   
2009
 
2010
 
Change
 
                           
Net sales
1,619   1,603   -1 %   5,038   4,765   -5 %
Cost of sales
-1,367   -1,130   -17 %   -4,441   -3,371   -24 %
Gross profit
252   473   88 %   597   1,394   134 %
Gross margin %
15.5 % 29.5 % 14 %   11.9 % 29.3 % 17 %
                           
Research and development expenses
-260   -191   -27 %   -808   -625   -23 %
Selling and administrative expenses
-205   -228   12 %   -665   -680   2 %
Operating expenses
-465   -420   -10 %   -1,473   -1,305   -11 %
                           
Other operating income, net
21   10   -51 %   39   31   -20 %
Operating income
-193   63         -837   120      
Operating margin %
-11.9 % 4.0 %       -16.6 % 2.5 %    
                           
Financial income
3   7   124 %   18   16   -12 %
Financial expenses
-9   -8   -15 %   -34   -24   -29 %
Income after financial items
-199   62         -853   112      
                           
Taxes
42   -12         200   -21      
Minority interest
-6   -2   -75 %   -16   -8   -48 %
Net income
-164   49         -669   82      
                           
                           
Number of units shipped (million)
14.1   10.4   -26 %   42.5   31.9   -25 %
ASP (EUR)
114   154   34 %   119   150   26 %
                           
                           
                           
EUR million
Jul-Sep
       
Jan-Sep
     
Restructuring charges
2009   2010         2009   2010      
  Cost of sales
0   3         -2   34      
  Research and development expenses
1   -10         12   -6      
  Sales and administrative expenses
1   11         4   12      
Total
2   4         15   39      
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS

 
2009
   
2010
 
EUR million
Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4     Q1   Q2   Q3  
                               
Net sales
1,736   1,684   1,619   1,750     1,405   1,757   1,603  
Cost of sales
-1,591   -1,483   -1,367   -1,341     -975   -1,266   -1,130  
Gross profit
145   200   252   409     429   492   473  
Gross margin %
8.4 % 11.9 % 15.5 % 23.4 %   30.6 % 28.0 % 29.5 %
                               
Research and development expenses
-303   -245   -260   -299     -216   -218   -191  
Selling and administrative expenses
-225   -235   -205   -299     -207   -245   -228  
Operating expenses
-528   -480   -465   -599     -423   -463   -420  
                               
Other operating income, net
13   6   21   8     14   7   10  
Operating income
-369   -274   -193   -181     20   36   63  
Operating margin %
-21.3 % -16.3 % -11.9 % -10.4 %   1.4 % 2.1 % 4.0 %
                               
Financial income
9   6   3   4     7   2   7  
Financial expenses
-10   -15   -9   -12     -9   -7   -8  
Income after financial items
-370   -283   -199   -190     18   31   62  
                               
Taxes
84   74   42   36     6   -16   -12  
Minority interest
-6   -4   -6   -12     -3   -4   -2  
Net income
-293   -213   -164   -167     21   12   49  
                               
                               
Number of units shipped (million)
14.5   13.8   14.1   14.6     10.5   11.0   10.4  
ASP (EUR)
120   122   114   120     134   160   154  
                               
                               
                               
                               
EUR million
2009     2010  
Restructuring charges
Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4     Q1   Q2   Q3  
  Cost of sales
7   -9   0   41     -2   33   3  
  Research and development expenses
2   9   1   72     2   1   -10  
  Sales and administrative expenses
3   1   1   37     3   -2   11  
Total
12   1   2   150     3   32   4  
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
Sep 30
 
Dec 31
 
Jun 30
 
Sep 30
EUR million
2009
 
2009
 
2010
 
2010
               
ASSETS
             
               
Total fixed and financial assets
757   779   836   813
               
Current assets
             
Inventories
397   358   467   457
Accounts receivable
917   832   1,063   986
Other assets
416   415   412   328
Other short-term cash investments
464   489   477   440
Cash and bank
532   389   562   482
Total current assets
2,726   2,483   2,981   2,692
               
               
Total assets
3,482   3,262   3,817   3,505
               
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
             
               
Shareholders' equity
532   381   510   480
Minority interest
43   47   66   62
Total equity
575   428   575   541
               
Borrowing, Non Current
50   0   101   100
Other long-term liabilities
31   32   40   30
Total long-term liabilities
81   32   141   130
               
Accounts payable
1,019   852   973   922
Borrowing, Current
105   258   329   284
Other current liabilities
1,702   1,692   1,798   1,628
Total current liabilities
2,826   2,802   3,101   2,834
               
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities
3,482   3,262   3,817   3,505
               
Net cash*
841   620   609   538

* Net cash is defined as cash and bank plus short-term cash investments less interest-bearing liabilities.
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 
Jul-Sep
   
Jan-Sep
EUR million
2009
2010
   
2009
2010
             
OPERATING
           
Net income
-164 49     -669 82
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
20 -66     87 -105
  -143 -17     -583 -23
             
Changes in operating net assets
49 -38     431 -96
Cash flow from operating activities
-94 -54     -152 -119
             
INVESTING
           
Investing activities
-42 2     -74 14
Cash flow from investing activities
-42 2     -74 14
             
FINANCING
           
Financing activities
159 - 32     106 118
Cash flow from financing activities
159 -32     106 118
             
Net change in cash
22 -85     -120 12
Cash, beginning of period
965 1,039     1,125 878
Translation difference in Cash
9 -33     -9 31
Cash, end of period
996 921     996 921
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS

 
2009
   
2010
EUR million
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4     Q1 Q2 Q3
                   
OPERATING
                 
Net income
-293 -213 -164 -167     21 12 49
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
29 37 20 48     -44 4 -66
  -263 -176 -143 -119     -23 16 -17
                   
Changes in operating net assets
321 60 49 -97     -72 13 -38
Cash flow from operating activities
58 -115 -94 -216     -94 29 -54
                   
INVESTING
                 
Investing activities
-19 -13 -42 -10     27 -15 2
Cash flow from investing activities
-19 -13 -42 -10     27 -15 2
                   
FINANCING
                 
Financing activities
- 53 0 159 100     150 0 - 32
Cash flow from financing activities
-53 0 159 100     150 0 -32
                   
Net change in cash
-14 -128 22 -126     83 15 -85
Cash, beginning of period
1,125 1,116 965 996     878 980 1,039
Translation difference in Cash
5 -23 9 8     19 45 -33
Cash, end of period
1,116 965 996 878     980 1,039 921
 
 
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Sony Ericsson
NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER
EUR million
                             
 
2009
   
2010
 
Isolated quarters
Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4     Q1   Q2   Q3  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
977   927   875   966     711   876   837  
Americas
200   195   232   222     201   223   222  
Asia
559   562   512   562     493   659   544  
Total
1,736   1,684   1,619   1,750     1,405   1,757   1,603  
* of which Western Europe
721   678   636   678     525   668   632  
                               
                               
  2009     2010  
Sequential change (%)
Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4     Q1   Q2   Q3  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
-40 % -5 % -6 % 10 %   -26 % 23 % -4 %
Americas
-69 % -3 % 19 % -4 %   -10 % 11 % 0 %
Asia
-12 % 1 % -9 % 10 %   -12 % 34 % -18 %
Total
-40 % -3 % -4 % 8 %   -20 % 25 % -9 %
* of which Western Europe
-35 % -6 % -6 % 7 %   -23 % 27 % -5 %
                               
                               
  2009     2010  
Year over year change (%)
Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4     Q1   Q2   Q3  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
-35 % -33 % -39 % -41 %   -27 % -5 % -4 %
Americas
-59 % -74 % -67 % -65 %   1 % 14 % -4 %
Asia
-23 % -19 % -25 % -12 %   -12 % 17 % 6 %
Total
-36 % -40 % -42 % -40 %   -19 % 4 % -1 %
* of which Western Europe
-26 % -25 % -33 % -39 %   -27 % -2 % -1 %
                               
                               
  2009     2010  
Year to date
0903   0906   0909   0912     1003   1006   1009  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
977   1,903   2,778   3,744     711   1,587   2,424  
Americas
200   395   627   850     201   424   646  
Asia
559   1,121   1,633   2,194     493   1,152   1,695  
Total
1,736   3,419   5,038   6,788     1,405   3,162   4,765  
* of which Western Europe
721   1,400   2,036   2,714     525   1,193   1,825  
                               
                               
  2009     2010  
YTD year over year change (%)
0903   0906   0909   0912     1003   1006   1009  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
-35 % -34 % -35 % -37 %   -27 % -17 % -13 %
Americas
-59 % -68 % -67 % -67 %   1 % 7 % 3 %
Asia
-23 % -21 % -22 % -20 %   -12 % 3 % 4 %
Total
-36 % -38 % -40 % -40 %   -19 % -8 % -5 %
* of which Western Europe
-26 % -26 % -28 % -31 %   -27 % -15 % -10 %
 
 
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