0001104659-24-086463.txt : 20240807 0001104659-24-086463.hdr.sgml : 20240807 20240807060232 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-24-086463 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20240807 FILED AS OF DATE: 20240807 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240807 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Sony Group Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000313838 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: HOUSEHOLD AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT [3651] ORGANIZATION NAME: 04 Manufacturing IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: M0 FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-06439 FILM NUMBER: 241181260 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1-7-1, KONAN STREET 2: MINATO-KU CITY: TOKYO STATE: M0 ZIP: 108-0075 BUSINESS PHONE: 81-3-6748-2111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1-7-1, KONAN STREET 2: MINATO-KU CITY: TOKYO STATE: M0 ZIP: 108-0075 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SONY CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960709 6-K 1 tm2420777d1_6k.htm FORM 6-K

 

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 August 2024

Commission File Number: 001-06439

 

SONY GROUP 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 ¨

 

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 GROUP CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

     
  By: /s/ Hiroki Totoki
      (Signature)
  Hiroki Totoki
  President, Chief Operating Officer and
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: August 7, 2024

 

List of Materials

 

Documents attached hereto:

 

Consolidated Financial Summary for the First Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Financial Summary for the First Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

 

(In accordance with IFRS® Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”))

 

August 7, 2024
Company name : Sony Group Corporation
Stock exchange listing : Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”)
Securities code : 6758
URL : https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/
Representative : Kenichiro Yoshida, Representative Corporate Executive Officer
Contact person : Sadahiko Hayakawa, Senior Vice President
Telephone : +81-3-6748-2111
Scheduled date to commence dividend payment : -
Preparation of supplementary materials on financial results : Yes
Holding of financial results briefing : Yes (for investors and analysts)

 

(Amounts are rounded to the nearest million yen, unless otherwise noted.)

 

1. Consolidated financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024)

 

(1) Consolidated operating results (cumulative) (Percentages indicate year-on-year changes.)

 

Consolidated Sales and financial
services revenue
Operating income Income before income
taxes
Net income Net income attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s
stockholders
Three months ended Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions %
June 30, 2024 3,011,649 1.6 279,106 10.3 316,867 14.8 235,828 8.2 231,638 6.5
June 30, 2023 2,963,652 32.9 253,042 -30.6 276,034 -21.0 217,942 -16.6 217,545 -16.7

 

Consolidated Total comprehensive
income
Adjusted OIBDA* Adjusted EBITDA*

Basic earnings

per share

Diluted earnings

per share

Three months ended Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen Yen
June 30, 2024 377,881 -15.2 454,682 14.8 461,256 13.5 189.90 189.43
June 30, 2023 445,459 0.5 396,122 -19.0 406,221 -18.2 176.26 175.67

 

For all segments
excluding Financial
Services*
Sales and financial
services revenue
Operating income Income before
income taxes
Net income attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s
stockholders
Adjusted OIBDA* Adjusted EBITDA*
Three months ended Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions %
June 30, 2024 2,567,436 12.3 249,124 25.5 286,885 5.6 210,025 -8.3 417,870 24.9 424,444 7.5
June 30, 2023 2,285,789 13.3 198,531 -12.0 271,559 8.0 229,126 13.0 334,696 -2.5 394,831 0.6

 

(2) Consolidated financial position

 

  Total assets Total equity Equity attributable to Sony Group
Corporation’s stockholders
Ratio of equity attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s
stockholders to total assets
As of Yen in millions Yen in millions Yen in millions %
June 30, 2024 34,677,809 8,148,959 7,857,452 22.7
March 31, 2024 34,107,490 7,756,105 7,587,177 22.2

 

 

 

 

2. Dividends

 

  Annual dividends per share
  First quarter-end Second quarter-end Third quarter-end Year-end Total
  Yen Yen Yen Yen Yen

Fiscal year ended

March 31, 2024

- 40.00 - 45.00 85.00

Fiscal year ending

March 31, 2025

-        

Fiscal year ending

March 31, 2025

(Forecast)*1

  50.00 - 10.00 -

 

Note: Revisions to the forecast of dividends most recently announced: No

 

*1Sony Group Corporation decided at the Board of Directors meeting held on May 14, 2024 to conduct a stock split, scheduled to be effective on October 1, 2024 with a record date of September 30, 2024. Each share of Sony Group Corporation’s common stock will be split into five (5) shares per share. The above year-end dividend per share forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 is based on a number of shares taking into account the stock split. The total annual dividend per share forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 is not presented because the total of the interim dividend and the year-end dividend cannot be calculated due to the effect of the stock split. Without taking the stock split into account, the year-end dividend per share forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 would be 50 yen and the total annual dividend per share forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 would be 100 yen.

 

3. Forecast for Consolidated Results for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2025 (from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025)

 

(Percentages indicate year-on-year changes.)

Fiscal year ending March
31, 2025
Sales and financial
services revenue
Operating income Income before
income taxes
Net income attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s
stockholders
Adjusted OIBDA* Adjusted EBITDA*
  Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions % Yen in millions %
Consolidated 12,610,000 -3.2 1,310,000 8.4 1,335,000 5.2 980,000 1.0 1,990,000 9.0 1,990,000 9.5
For all segments excluding Financial Services* 11,700,000 3.9 1,165,000 12.5 1,190,000 3.9 875,000 -2.4 1,820,000 10.7 1,820,000 7.9

 

Note: Revisions to the forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 most recently announced: Yes

 

*Adjusted OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization), Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) and figures for all segments excluding Financial Services are not measures in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. However, Sony Group Corporation believes that these disclosures may be useful information to investors. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA are calculated by the following formulas, respectively. For the reconciliations for Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to “Q1 FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results” (the presentation material for the earnings announcement) disclosed on the same date as this document on the Timely Disclosure Network (“TDnet”) of the TSE, the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the website of Sony Group Corporation.

 

 Adjusted OIBDA = Operating income + Depreciation and amortization expense excluding amortization for film costs and broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets - the profit and loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring.

 

 Adjusted EBITDA = Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders + Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests + Income taxes + Interest expenses, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense - Gain on revaluation of equity instruments, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense + Depreciation and amortization expense excluding amortization for film costs and broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets - the profit and loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring.

 

 For details about the preparation of the Financial Statements for all segments excluding Financial Services, please refer to page 12 of the Appendix.

 

 

 

 

* Notes

(1) Significant changes in scope of consolidation during the period : No
   
(2) Changes in accounting policies and changes in accounting estimates:
  (i) Changes in accounting policies required by IFRS Accounting Standards : Yes
  (ii) Changes in accounting policies due to other reasons : No
  (iii) Changes in accounting estimates : No

 

(3) Number of issued shares (common stock):  
     
  (i)  Total number of issued shares at the end of the period (including treasury stock)

 

As of June 30, 2024 1,248,619,589 shares
As of March 31, 2024 1,261,231,889 shares

 

(ii)Number of shares of treasury stock at the end of the period

 

As of June 30, 2024 30,868,630 shares
As of March 31, 2024 39,783,003 shares

 

(iii)Average number of shares outstanding during the period (cumulative from the beginning of the fiscal year)

 

Three months ended June 30, 2024 1,219,769,683 shares
Three months ended June 30, 2023 1,234,242,212 shares

 

  Note: Please refer to “Notes to Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements - Accounting Policy and Other Information (Net Income Attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s Stockholders and Weighted-average Number of Outstanding Shares Used for the Computation of EPS of Common Stock)” for number of shares used as basis for calculating consolidated per share data.

 

*Review of the attached condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements by certified public accountants or an audit firm: No

 

*Proper use of earnings forecasts, and other special matters:

 

 Please refer to “Cautionary Statement” on page 17 of the Appendix for assumptions and other matters related to the forecast of financial results.

 

 Supplementary materials on financial results including the presentation material for the earnings announcement are available on Sony Group Corporation’s website along with this document.

 

 

 

 

(Appendix)

 

Table of Contents for Appendix

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 2
   
Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 2
Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Income (Three months ended June 30) 4
Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Three months ended June 30) 5
Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Three months ended June 30) 6
Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Three months ended June 30) 7
Notes to Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements 9
-      Business Segment Information 9
-      Going Concern Assumption 15
-      Accounting Policy and Other Information 15
   
Overview of Operating Results 17
   
Cautionary Statement 17

 

All financial information is presented on the basis of IFRS Accounting Standards.

 

Sony Group Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries are together referred to as “Sony” or “Sony Group.”

 

- 1 -

 

 

(Unaudited)

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

   Yen in millions 
  

March 31,

2024

  

June 30,

2024

  

Change from

March 31, 2024

 
ASSETS               
Current assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents   1,907,113    1,477,098    (430,015)
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   398,153    412,275    14,122 
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets   2,158,196    2,080,143    (78,053)
Inventories   1,518,644    1,692,709    174,065 
Other financial assets   125,365    127,656    2,291 
Other current assets   669,335    765,856    96,521 
Total current assets   6,776,806    6,555,737    (221,069)
Non-current assets:               
Investments accounted for using the equity method   423,744    429,128    5,384 
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   18,939,794    18,959,272    19,478 
Property, plant and equipment   1,522,640    1,596,690    74,050 
Right-of-use assets   503,395    576,710    73,315 
Goodwill   1,487,100    1,583,088    95,988 
Content assets   1,928,113    2,317,397    389,284 
Other intangible assets   615,602    663,731    48,129 
Deferred tax assets   499,550    507,971    8,421 
Other financial assets   897,341    945,587    48,246 
Other non-current assets   513,405    542,498    29,093 
Total non-current assets   27,330,684    28,122,072    791,388 
Total assets   34,107,490    34,677,809    570,319 

 

(Continued on the following page.)

- 2 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Continued)

 

   Yen in millions 
  

March 31,

2024

  

June 30,

2024

  

Change from

March 31, 2024

 
LIABILITIES               
Current liabilities:               
Short-term borrowings   1,812,605    1,823,419    10,814 
Current portion of long-term debt   217,711    214,847    (2,864)
Trade and other payables   2,064,905    2,252,860    187,955 
Deposits from customers in the banking business   3,670,567    3,690,958    20,391 
Income taxes payables   152,074    91,243    (60,831)
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment   251,743    264,049    12,306 
Other financial liabilities   116,044    130,321    14,277 
Other current liabilities   1,906,396    1,899,211    (7,185)
Total current liabilities   10,192,045    10,366,908    174,863 
Non-current liabilities:               
Long-term debt   2,058,117    2,134,844    76,727 
Defined benefit liabilities   247,583    252,354    4,771 
Deferred tax liabilities   166,424    179,817    13,393 
Insurance contract liabilities   12,931,995    12,776,766    (155,229)
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment   206,081    220,842    14,761 
Other financial liabilities   386,761    415,208    28,447 
Other non-current liabilities   162,379    182,111    19,732 
Total non-current liabilities   16,159,340    16,161,942    2,602 
Total liabilities   26,351,385    26,528,850    177,465 
EQUITY               
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity:               
Common stock   881,357    881,357    - 
Additional paid-in capital   1,483,410    1,484,449    1,039 
Retained earnings   6,002,407    6,025,362    22,955 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   (376,063)   (209,524)   166,539 
Treasury stock, at cost   (403,934)   (324,192)   79,742 
Equity attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders   7,587,177    7,857,452    270,275 
Noncontrolling interests   168,928    291,507    122,579 
Total equity   7,756,105    8,148,959    392,854 
Total liabilities and equity   34,107,490    34,677,809    570,319 

 

- 3 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Income

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024   Change 
Sales and financial services revenue:               
Sales   2,284,543    2,565,361    280,818 
Financial services revenue               
Insurance revenue   142,750    152,912    10,162 
Other financial services revenue   536,359    293,376    (242,983)
Total financial services revenue   679,109    446,288    (232,821)
Total sales and financial services revenue   2,963,652    3,011,649    47,997 
Costs and expenses:               
Cost of sales   1,624,510    1,784,389    159,879 
Selling, general and administrative   474,939    543,414    68,475 
Financial services expenses               
Insurance service expenses   97,366    110,813    13,447 
Insurance finance expenses (income)   489,352    261,480    (227,872)
Other financial services expenses   37,825    43,961    6,136 
Total financial services expenses   624,543    416,254    (208,289)
Other operating (income) expense, net   (8,742)   (9,820)   (1,078)
Total costs and expenses   2,715,250    2,734,237    18,987 
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method   4,640    1,694    (2,946)
Operating income   253,042    279,106    26,064 
Financial income   31,912    53,230    21,318 
Financial expenses   8,920    15,469    6,549 
Income before income taxes   276,034    316,867    40,833 
Income taxes   58,092    81,039    22,947 
Net income   217,942    235,828    17,886 
                
Net income attributable to               
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders   217,545    231,638    14,093 
Noncontrolling interests   397    4,190    3,793 

 

   Yen 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024   Change 
Per share data:            
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders               
- Basic   176.26    189.90    13.64 
- Diluted   175.67    189.43    13.76 

 

- 4 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024   Change 
Net income   217,942    235,828    17,886 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax -               
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss               
Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income   (6,917)   (15,062)   (8,145)
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans   (425)   (787)   (362)
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method   139    (1,140)   (1,279)
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss               
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income   (72,542)   (432,256)   (359,714)
Cash flow hedges   (2,230)   (2,277)   (47)
Insurance finance income (expenses)   20,517    350,402    329,885 
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations   285,771    239,701    (46,070)
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method   3,150    3,811    661 
Other   54    (339)   (393)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax   227,517    142,053    (85,464)
Comprehensive income   445,459    377,881    (67,578)
                
Comprehensive income attributable to               
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders   443,428    372,839    (70,589)
Noncontrolling interests   2,031    5,042    3,011 

 

- 5 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

   Yen in millions 
  

 

 

Common

stock

  

 

Additional

paid-in

capital

  

 

 

Retained

earnings

  

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

income

  

 

Treasury

stock, at

cost

  

Sony Group

Corporation’s

stockholders’

equity

  

 

 

Noncontrolling

interests

   Total equity 
Balance at April 1, 2023   880,365    1,463,807    5,092,442    (614,570)   (223,507)   6,598,537    58,613    6,657,150 
Comprehensive income:                                        
Net income             217,545              217,545    397    217,942 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax                  225,883         225,883    1,634    227,517 
Total comprehensive income             217,545    225,883         443,428    2,031    445,459 
Transfer to retained earnings             1,152    (1,152)        -         - 
Transactions with stockholders and other:                                        
Exercise of stock acquisition rights        (1)   (144)        4,600    4,455         4,455 
Stock-based compensation        3,127                   3,127         3,127 
Dividends declared             (49,380)             (49,380)   (1,604)   (50,984)
Purchase of treasury stock                       (10,150)   (10,150)        (10,150)
Reissuance of treasury stock        1              2    3         3 
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other        12,968                   12,968    16,550    29,518 
Balance at June 30, 2023   880,365    1,479,902    5,261,615    (389,839)   (229,055)   7,002,988    75,590    7,078,578 

 

   Yen in millions 
  

 

 

Common

stock

  

 

Additional

paid-in

capital

  

 

 

Retained

earnings

  

Accumulated

other

comprehensive

income

  

 

Treasury

stock, at

cost

  

Sony Group

Corporation’s

stockholders’

equity

  

 

 

Noncontrolling

interests

  

 

 

 

Total equity

 
Balance at April 1, 2024   881,357    1,483,410    6,002,407    (376,063)   (403,934)   7,587,177    168,928    7,756,105 
Comprehensive income:                                        
Net income             231,638              231,638    4,190    235,828 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax                  141,201         141,201    852    142,053 
Total comprehensive income             231,638    141,201         372,839    5,042    377,881 
Transfer to retained earnings             (25,338)   25,338         -         - 
Transactions with stockholders and other:                                        
Exercise of stock acquisition rights and other        (1)   (642)        2,417    1,774         1,774 
Stock-based compensation        5,504                   5,504         5,504 
Dividends declared             (54,965)             (54,965)   (2,076)   (57,041)
Purchase of treasury stock                       (51,255)   (51,255)        (51,255)
Reissuance of treasury stock        1              3    4         4 
Cancellation of treasury stock        (839)   (127,738)        128,577    -         - 
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other        (3,626)                  (3,626)   119,613    115,987 
Balance at June 30, 2024   881,357    1,484,449    6,025,362    (209,524)   (324,192)   7,857,452    291,507    8,148,959 

 

- 6 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Income before income taxes   276,034    316,867 
Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of contract costs   251,767    268,504 
Other operating (income) expense, net   (8,742)   (9,820)
Gain on securities, net (other than Financial Services segment)   (14,189)   (31,406)
Share of loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net of dividends   2,275    5,122 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables and contract assets   (11,342)   165,792 
Increase in inventories   (283,152)   (123,840)
Increase in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   (560,038)   (633,041)
Increase in content assets   (137,465)   (257,588)
Increase in trade payables   174,512    132,780 
Increase in insurance contract liabilities, net of insurance contract assets   561,732    341,752 
Increase in deposits from customers in the banking business   144,119    35,540 
Decrease in borrowings in the life insurance business and the banking business   (54,691)   (41,126)
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable other than income taxes, net   20,014    (3,893)
Increase in other financial assets and other current assets   (34,283)   (41,010)
Decrease in other financial liabilities and other current liabilities   (130,303)   (113,984)
Income taxes paid   (121,147)   (109,918)
Other   (87,770)   (27,016)
Net cash used in operating activities   (12,669)   (126,285)

 

(Continued on the following page.)

 

- 7 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Payments for property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets   (130,501)   (211,780)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets   6,235    5,619 
Payments for investments and advances (other than Financial Services segment)   (21,319)   (15,747)
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances
(other than Financial Services segment)
   4,410    30,896 
Payments for purchases of businesses and other   (59,480)   (169,794)
Proceeds from sales of businesses   -    1,609 
Other   2,008    75 
Net cash used in investing activities   (198,647)   (359,122)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Increase in short-term borrowings, net   294,039    24,983 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt   5,599    6,276 
Payments of long-term debt   (28,414)   (30,091)
Dividends paid   (48,955)   (54,451)
Payments for purchases of treasury stock   (10,150)   (51,255)
Capital contribution from non-controlling interests   -    109,527 
Other   1,748    (3,457)
Net cash provided by financing activities   213,867    1,532 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   48,648    53,860 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   51,199    (430,015)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the fiscal year   1,480,900    1,907,113 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   1,532,099    1,477,098 

 

- 8 -

 

 

Notes to Condensed Quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements

Business Segment Information

(Business Segments)

Segment sales and financial services revenue

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024   Change 
Sales and financial services revenue:               
Game & Network Services -               
Customers   755,003    844,288    89,285 
Intersegment   16,877    20,623    3,746 
Total   771,880    864,911    93,031 
Music -               
Customers   355,756    435,726    79,970 
Intersegment   2,473    6,296    3,823 
Total   358,229    442,022    83,793 
Pictures -               
Customers   320,178    336,556    16,378 
Intersegment   188    790    602 
Total   320,366    337,346    16,980 
Entertainment, Technology & Services -               
Customers   563,292    594,179    30,887 
Intersegment   8,491    6,736    (1,755)
Total   571,783    600,915    29,132 
Imaging & Sensing Solutions -               
Customers   270,476    333,308    62,832 
Intersegment   22,264    20,172    (2,092)
Total   292,740    353,480    60,740 
Financial Services -               
Customers   679,109    446,288    (232,821)
Intersegment   2,302    2,307    5 
Total   681,411    448,595    (232,816)
All Other -               
Customers   16,402    18,933    2,531 
Intersegment   3,091    2,157    (934)
Total   19,493    21,090    1,597 
Corporate and elimination   (52,250)   (56,710)   (4,460)
Consolidated total   2,963,652    3,011,649    47,997 

 

Game & Network Services (“G&NS”) intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Entertainment, Technology & Services (“ET&S”) segment. ET&S intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the G&NS segment. Imaging & Sensing Solutions (“I&SS”) intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the G&NS segment and the ET&S segment. Corporate and elimination includes certain brand and patent royalty income.

 

- 9 -

 

 

Segment profit (loss)

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024   Change 
Operating income (loss):               
Game & Network Services   49,160    65,209    16,049 
Music   73,380    85,893    12,513 
Pictures   15,971    11,308    (4,663)
Entertainment, Technology & Services   55,646    64,083    8,437 
Imaging & Sensing Solutions   12,731    36,647    23,916 
Financial Services   54,514    29,985    (24,529)
All Other   2,475    1,275    (1,200)
Total   263,877    294,400    30,523 
Corporate and elimination   (10,835)   (15,294)   (4,459)
Consolidated operating income   253,042    279,106    26,064 

 

Operating income (loss) is sales and financial services revenue less costs and expenses, and includes the share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method.

 

- 10 -

 

 

(Sales to Customers by Product Category)

 

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

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
Sales and financial services revenue:  2023   2024   Change 
Game & Network Services               
Digital Software and Add-on Content   365,346    432,752    67,406 
Network Services   124,499    159,346    34,847 
Hardware and Others   265,158    252,190    (12,968)
Total   755,003    844,288    89,285 
Music               
Recorded Music - Streaming   164,887    196,663    31,776 
Recorded Music - Others   72,885    102,616    29,731 
Music Publishing   75,139    96,676    21,537 
Visual Media and Platform   42,845    39,771    (3,074)
Total   355,756    435,726    79,970 
Pictures               
Motion Pictures   125,504    133,034    7,530 
Television Productions   104,231    94,285    (9,946)
Media Networks   90,443    109,237    18,794 
Total   320,178    336,556    16,378 
Entertainment, Technology & Services               
Televisions   135,982    129,124    (6,858)
Audio and Video   89,149    97,321    8,172 
Still and Video Cameras   161,874    192,453    30,579 
Mobile Communications   87,362    81,041    (6,321)
Other   88,925    94,240    5,315 
Total   563,292    594,179    30,887 
Imaging & Sensing Solutions   270,476    333,308    62,832 
Financial Services   679,109    446,288    (232,821)
All Other   16,402    18,933    2,531 
Corporate   3,436    2,371    (1,065)
Consolidated total   2,963,652    3,011,649    47,997 

 

In the G&NS segment, Digital Software and Add-on Content includes distribution of software titles and add-on content through the network; Network Services includes network services relating to game, video and music content; Hardware and Others includes home gaming consoles, packaged software, game software sold bundled with home gaming consoles, peripheral devices and first-party software for third-party platforms. In the Music segment, Recorded Music - Streaming includes the distribution of digital recorded music by streaming; Recorded Music - Others includes the distribution of recorded music by physical media and digital download as well as revenue derived from artists’ live performances and merchandising; 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 and game applications, and various service offerings for music and visual products. In the Pictures segment, Motion Pictures includes the worldwide production, acquisition and distribution of live-action and animated motion pictures; Television Productions includes the production, acquisition and distribution of television programming; Media Networks includes the operation of television networks and direct-to-consumer streaming services worldwide. In the ET&S segment, Televisions includes LCD and OLED televisions; Audio and Video includes Blu-ray disc players and recorders, home audio, headphones and memory-based portable audio devices; Still and Video Cameras includes interchangeable lens cameras, compact digital cameras, consumer video cameras and video cameras for broadcast; Mobile Communications includes smartphones and an internet-related service business; Other includes display products such as projectors and medical equipment.

 

- 11 -

 

 

(Condensed Quarterly Financial Services Financial Statements)

 

The following schedules show unaudited condensed quarterly financial statements for the Financial Services segment and all other segments excluding Financial Services. These presentations are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, which is used by Sony to prepare its condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements. However, because the Financial Services segment is different in nature from Sony’s other segments, Sony believes that a comparative presentation may be useful in understanding and analyzing Sony’s condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements. Both financial statements include transactions between the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment. The figures shown in the respective presentations for the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment are prior to the elimination and/or offset of such transactions and deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities of each. The consolidated column is presented net of the elimination and/or offset of such intercompany balances and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

Condensed Quarterly Statements of Financial Position

 

   Yen in millions 
   Financial Services  

Sony without

Financial Services

   Consolidated 
   March 31,
2024
  

June 30,

2024

   March 31,
2024
  

June 30,

2024

   March 31,
2024
  

June 30,

2024

 
ASSETS                              
Current assets:                              
Cash and cash equivalents  ¥913,815   ¥630,317   ¥993,298   ¥846,781   ¥1,907,113   ¥1,477,098 
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   398,153    412,275    -    -    398,153    412,275 
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets   127,016    148,274    2,033,170    1,934,878    2,158,196    2,080,143 
Inventories   -    -    1,518,644    1,692,709    1,518,644    1,692,709 
Other financial assets   57,254    51,275    68,111    76,382    125,365    127,656 
Other current assets   50,487    64,444    625,539    709,232    669,335    765,856 
Total current assets   1,546,725    1,306,585    5,238,762    5,259,982    6,776,806    6,555,737 
Non-current assets:                              
Investments accounted for using the equity method   4,905    4,943    418,839    424,185    423,744    429,128 
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   18,939,794    18,959,272    -    -    18,939,794    18,959,272 
Investments in Financial Services, at cost   -    -    550,483    550,483    -    - 
Property, plant and equipment   14,162    13,898    1,508,151    1,582,466    1,522,640    1,596,690 
Right-of-use assets   76,288    78,259    428,224    499,555    503,395    576,710 
Goodwill and intangible assets, including content assets   77,323    76,924    3,953,492    4,487,292    4,030,815    4,564,216 
Deferred tax assets   -    -    520,613    511,748    499,550    507,971 
Other financial assets   52,882    53,981    848,599    895,754    897,341    945,587 
Other non-current assets   165,049    165,158    421,258    450,075    513,405    542,498 
Total non-current assets   19,330,403    19,352,435    8,649,659    9,401,558    27,330,684    28,122,072 
Total assets  ¥20,877,128   ¥20,659,020   ¥13,888,421   ¥14,661,540   ¥34,107,490   ¥34,677,809 
                               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                              
Current liabilities:                              
Short-term borrowings  ¥1,802,337   ¥1,774,775   ¥227,979   ¥263,491   ¥2,030,316   ¥2,038,266 
Trade and other payables   61,153    78,329    2,005,112    2,177,276    2,064,905    2,252,860 
Deposits from customers in the banking business   3,670,567    3,690,958    -    -    3,670,567    3,690,958 
Income taxes payables   10,050    2,973    142,024    88,270    152,074    91,243 
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment   -    -    251,743    264,049    251,743    264,049 
Other financial liabilities   77,523    79,926    38,522    50,395    116,044    130,321 
Other current liabilities   209,555    216,797    1,704,158    1,690,500    1,906,396    1,899,211 
Total current liabilities   5,831,185    5,843,758    4,369,538    4,533,981    10,192,045    10,366,908 
Non-current liabilities:                              
Long-term debt   703,106    691,697    1,355,011    1,443,147    2,058,117    2,134,844 
Defined benefit liabilities   39,284    39,221    208,299    213,133    247,583    252,354 
Deferred tax liabilities   36,368    18,599    165,877    179,880    166,424    179,817 
Insurance contract liabilities   12,931,995    12,776,766    -    -    12,931,995    12,776,766 
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment   -    -    206,081    220,842    206,081    220,842 
Other financial liabilities   214,414    228,456    175,263    189,688    386,761    415,208 
Other non-current liabilities   7,607    7,557    176,767    196,356    162,379    182,111 
Total non-current liabilities   13,932,774    13,762,296    2,287,298    2,443,046    16,159,340    16,161,942 
Total liabilities   19,763,959    19,606,054    6,656,836    6,977,027    26,351,385    26,528,850 
Equity:                              
Stockholders’ equity of Financial Services   1,113,169    1,052,966    -    -    -    - 
Stockholders’ equity of Sony without Financial Services   -    -    7,062,657    7,393,006    -    - 
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity   -    -    -    -    7,587,177    7,857,452 
Noncontrolling interests   -    -    168,928    291,507    168,928    291,507 
Total equity   1,113,169    1,052,966    7,231,585    7,684,513    7,756,105    8,148,959 
Total liabilities and equity  ¥20,877,128   ¥20,659,020   ¥13,888,421   ¥14,661,540   ¥34,107,490   ¥34,677,809 

 

- 12 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Statements of Income

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   Financial Services  

Sony without

Financial Services

   Consolidated 
   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023   2024 
                         
Sales  ¥-   ¥-   ¥2,285,789   ¥2,567,436   ¥2,284,543   ¥2,565,361 
Financial services revenue   681,411    448,595    -    -    679,109    446,288 
Total sales and financial services revenue   681,411    448,595    2,285,789    2,567,436    2,963,652    3,011,649 
                               
Cost of sales   -    -    1,627,562    1,786,603    1,624,510    1,784,389 
Selling, general and administrative   -    -    473,129    543,274    474,939    543,414 
Financial services expenses   626,846    418,561    -    -    624,543    416,254 
Other operating (income) expense, net   51    87    (8,793)   (9,909)   (8,742)   (9,820)
Total costs and expenses   626,897    418,648    2,091,898    2,319,968    2,715,250    2,734,237 
                               
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method   -    38    4,640    1,656    4,640    1,694 
                               
Operating income   54,514    29,985    198,531    249,124    253,042    279,106 
                               
Financial income (expenses), net   -    -    73,028    37,761    22,992    37,761 
                               
Income before income taxes   54,514    29,985    271,559    286,885    276,034    316,867 
                               
Income taxes   15,905    8,500    42,187    72,670    58,092    81,039 
                               
Net income   38,609    21,485    229,372    214,215    217,942    235,828 
                               
Net income of Financial Services  ¥38,458   ¥21,485   ¥-   ¥-   ¥-   ¥- 
                               
Net income of Sony without Financial Services  ¥-   ¥-   ¥229,126   ¥210,025   ¥-   ¥- 
                               

Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders

  ¥-   ¥-   ¥-   ¥-   ¥217,545   ¥231,638 
                               
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  ¥151   ¥-   ¥246   ¥4,190   ¥397   ¥4,190 

 

- 13 -

 

 

Condensed Quarterly Statements of Cash Flows

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   Financial Services  

Sony without

Financial Services

   Consolidated 
   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023   2024 
Cash flows from operating activities:                              
Income (loss) before income taxes  ¥54,514   ¥29,985   ¥271,559   ¥286,885   ¥276,034   ¥316,867 
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) before income taxes to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                              
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of contract costs   6,915    6,830    244,852    261,674    251,767    268,504 
Other operating (income) expense, net   51    87    (8,793)   (9,909)   (8,742)   (9,820)
(Gain) loss on securities, net (other than Financial Services segment)   -    -    (14,189)   (31,406)   (14,189)   (31,406)
Changes in assets and liabilities:                              
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables and contract assets   (21,911)   (21,258)   13,650    186,030    (11,342)   165,792 
(Increase) decrease in inventories   -    -    (283,152)   (123,840)   (283,152)   (123,840)
(Increase) decrease in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment   (560,038)   (633,041)   -    -    (560,038)   (633,041)
(Increase) decrease in content assets   -    -    (137,465)   (257,588)   (137,465)   (257,588)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables   (3,391)   21,238    174,965    112,972    174,512    132,780 
Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities, net of insurance contract assets   561,732    341,752    -    -    561,732    341,752 
Increase (decrease) in deposits from customers in the banking business   144,119    35,540    -    -    144,119    35,540 
Increase (decrease) in borrowings in the life insurance business and the banking business   (54,691)   (41,126)   -    -    (54,691)   (41,126)
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable other than income taxes, net   27,995    73    (7,981)   (3,966)   20,014    (3,893)
Other   (37,230)   (13,287)   (334,115)   (273,888)   (371,228)   (286,806)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   118,065    (273,207)   (80,669)   146,964    (12,669)   (126,285)
                               
Cash flows from investing activities:                              
Payments for property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets   (5,602)   (7,613)   (124,929)   (204,212)   (130,501)   (211,780)
Payments for investments and advances (other than Financial Services segment)   -    -    (21,319)   (15,747)   (21,319)   (15,747)
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances (other than Financial Services segment)   -    -    4,410    30,896    4,410    30,896 
Other   1    (182)   (51,238)   (162,309)   (51,237)   (162,491)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (5,601)   (7,795)   (193,076)   (351,372)   (198,647)   (359,122)
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:                              
Increase (decrease) in borrowings, net   (2,671)   (2,614)   273,895    3,783    271,224    1,168 
Dividends paid   (50,037)   -    (48,955)   (54,451)   (48,955)   (54,451)
Other   (1)   118    (8,399)   54,699    (8,402)   54,815 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (52,709)   (2,496)   216,541    4,031    213,867    1,532 
                               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   -    -    48,648    53,860    48,648    53,860 
                               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   59,755    (283,498)   (8,556)   (146,517)   51,199    (430,015)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the fiscal year   756,493    913,815    724,407    993,298    1,480,900    1,907,113 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period  ¥816,248   ¥630,317   ¥715,851   ¥846,781   ¥1,532,099   ¥1,477,098 

 

- 14 -

 

 

Going Concern Assumption

 

Not Applicable

 

Accounting Policy and Other Information

 

(Changes in accounting policies)

 

Sony newly adopted the following accounting standards from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025:

 

Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”

 

In January 2020, the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued “Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1).” The amendments clarify the right of a company to defer settlement of a liability, which is one of the existing requirements when classifying a liability to current or non-current. In addition, in October 2022, the IASB issued “A Non-current Liability with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1).” The amendments require companies to disclose information about covenants in order for investors to understand the risk that such non-current debt with covenants could become repayable within twelve months. Both of these amendments were effective for Sony as of April 1, 2024. The adoption of these amendments has no material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

 

Amendments to IAS 7 “Statement of Cash Flows” and IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”

 

In May 2023, the IASB issued “Supplier Finance Arrangements (Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7).” These amendments require companies to disclose information about supplier finance arrangements and were effective for Sony as of April 1, 2024. Since these amendments only affect disclosures, they have no impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

 

(Net Income Attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s Stockholders and Weighted-average Number of Outstanding Shares Used for the Computation of EPS of Common Stock)

 

   Yen in millions 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024 
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for basic and diluted EPS computation   217,545    231,638 

 

   Thousands of shares 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024 
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic EPS computation   1,234,242    1,219,770 
Effect of dilutive securities:          
Stock options   3,909    2,787 
Restricted stock units   212    249 
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS computation   1,238,363    1,222,806 

 

(Segmentation)

 

The G&NS segment includes the network services businesses, the manufacture and sales of home gaming products and the production and sales of digital software and add-on content. The Music segment includes the Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform businesses. The Pictures segment includes the Motion Pictures, Television Productions and Media Networks businesses. The ET&S segment includes the Televisions business, the Audio and Video business, the Still and Video Cameras business, the smartphone business and the internet-related service business. The I&SS segment includes the image sensors business. The Financial Services segment primarily represents individual life insurance and non-life insurance businesses and the banking business in Japan. All Other consists of various operating activities, including the disc manufacturing and recording media businesses. Sony’s products and services are generally unique to a single operating segment.

 

- 15 -

 

 

(Supplemental cash flow information)

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2024, Sony established a new joint venture in the Music segment with a third party partner, which acquired interests in companies that own certain music and other assets (the “target companies”), and Sony also acquired music assets directly from other rights holders. Sony consolidated the joint venture through Sony’s majority interest and reflected the consideration of 133,064 million yen for the acquisition of the interests in the target companies in cash flows from investing activities as “Payments for purchases of businesses and other.” Sony primarily recognized 116,289 million yen of content assets (music catalogs) and 11,501 million yen of other intangible assets from the acquisition of the interests in the target companies. The acquisition of the interests in the target companies is accounted for as an acquisition of a group of assets that does not constitute a business. The content assets (music catalogs) directly acquired from other rights holders were recorded in cash flows from operating activities as “Increase in content assets.”

 

(Stock Split)

 

Sony Group Corporation approved the implementation of a stock split of its common stock as follows at the meeting of its Board of Directors held on May 14, 2024.

 

1. Method of Stock Split 

 

Each share of Sony Group Corporation’s common stock owned by shareholders whose names appear on the register of shareholders as of the close of the record date of September 30, 2024, will be split into five (5) shares per share.

 

2. Number of shares to be increased by Stock Split

 

(i) Total number of issued shares before stock split: 1,248,619,589 shares  
(ii) Number of shares to be increased by stock split: 4,994,478,356 shares  
(iii) Total number of issued shares following stock split: 6,243,097,945 shares  
(iv) Total number of authorized shares following stock split: 18,000,000,000 shares  

 

*Total number of issued shares shown above is based on the total number of issued shares as of July 31, 2024, and may increase by the record date of the stock split due to the exercise of stock acquisition rights.

 

3. Schedule of Stock Split

 

(i) Public notice of record date: September 13, 2024  
(ii) Record date: September 30, 2024  
(iii) Effective date: October 1, 2024  

 

4. Partial Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

 

Sony Group Corporation plans to amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares authorized to be issued by Sony Group Corporation from 3.6 billion to 18.0 billion, in accordance with Article 184, Paragraph 2 of the Companies Act of Japan, effective on October 1, 2024, which is the effective date of the stock split.

 

5. Impact on per share information

 

Per share information assuming that the stock split was implemented at the beginning of the three months ended June 30, 2023, would be as follows.

 

   Yen 
   Three months ended June 30 
   2023   2024 
Basic net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share   35.25    37.98 
Diluted net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share   35.13    37.89 

 

- 16 -

 

 

Overview of Operating Results

 

For the overview of operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2024, including the forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, please refer to “Q1 FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results” (the presentation material for the earnings announcement) disclosed on the same date as this document on the TDnet of the TSE, the EDGAR system of the U.S. SEC and the website of Sony Group Corporation.

 

Cautionary Statement

 

Statements made in this material with respect to Sony’s current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Sony. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those statements using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “could” or “should,” and words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance, events or conditions. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials released to the public. These statements are based on management’s assumptions, judgments and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Sony cautions investors that a number of important risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on them. Investors also should not rely on any obligation of Sony to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Sony disclaims any such obligation. Risks and uncertainties that might affect Sony include, but are not limited to:

 

(i) Sony’s ability to maintain product quality and customer satisfaction with its products and services;
(ii) Sony’s ability to continue to design and develop and win acceptance of, as well as achieve sufficient cost reductions for, its products and services, including image sensors, game and network platforms, smartphones and televisions, which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by severe price competition and continual new product and service introductions, rapid development in technology and subjective and changing customer preferences;
(iii) Sony’s ability to implement successful hardware, software, and content integration strategies, and to develop and implement successful sales and distribution strategies in light of new technologies and distribution platforms;
(iv) the effectiveness of Sony’s strategies and their execution, including but not limited to the success of Sony’s acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, capital expenditures, restructurings and other strategic initiatives;
(v) changes in laws, regulations and government policies in the markets in which Sony and its third-party suppliers, service providers and business partners operate, including those related to taxation, as well as growing consumer focus on corporate social responsibility;
(vi) Sony’s continued ability to identify the products, services and market trends with significant growth potential, to devote sufficient resources to research and development, to prioritize investments and capital expenditures correctly and to recoup its investments and capital expenditures, including those required for technology development and product capacity;
(vii) Sony’s reliance on external business partners, including for the procurement of parts, components, software and network services for its products or services, the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its products, and its other business operations;
(viii) the global economic and political environment in which Sony operates and the economic and political conditions in Sony’s markets, particularly levels of consumer spending;
(ix) Sony’s ability to meet operational and liquidity needs as a result of significant volatility and disruption in the global financial markets or a ratings downgrade;
(x) Sony’s ability to forecast demands, manage timely procurement and control inventories;
(xi) foreign exchange rates, particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar, the euro and other currencies in which Sony makes significant sales and incurs production costs, or in which Sony’s assets, liabilities and operating results are denominated;
(xii) Sony’s ability to recruit, retain and maintain productive relations with highly skilled personnel;
(xiii) Sony’s ability to prevent unauthorized use or theft of intellectual property rights, to obtain or renew licenses relating to intellectual property rights and to defend itself against claims that its products or services infringe the intellectual property rights owned by others;
(xiv) the impact of changes in interest rates and unfavorable conditions or developments (including market fluctuations or volatility) in the equity and bond markets on the revenue and operating income of the Financial Services segment;
(xv) shifts in customer demand for financial services such as life insurance and Sony’s ability to conduct successful asset liability management in the Financial Services segment;
(xvi) risks related to catastrophic disasters, geopolitical conflicts, pandemic disease or similar events;
(xvii) the ability of Sony, its third-party service providers or business partners to anticipate and manage cybersecurity risk, including the risk of unauthorized access to Sony’s business information and the personally identifiable information of its employees and customers, potential business disruptions or financial losses; and
(xviii) the outcome of pending and/or future legal and/or regulatory proceedings.

 

Risks and uncertainties also include the impact of any future events with material adverse impact. The continued impact of developments relating to the situations in Ukraine and Russia and in the Middle East could heighten many of the risks and uncertainties noted above. Important information regarding risks and uncertainties is also set forth in Sony’s most recent Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

- 17 -