6-K 1 d6k.htm ANNOUNCEMENT LETTER Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Announcement letter
 
 
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 April 2002
 

 
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
7-35 KITASHINAGAWA 6-CHOME,
SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

 
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-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 CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
 
/s/    TERUHISA TOKUNAKA

   
Teruhisa Tokunaka
Executive Deputy President
and Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: April 25, 2002


 
 
List of materials
 
Documents attached hereto:
 
i) A press release regarding Sony Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year
ended March 31, 2002.
 
ii) A press release regarding Sony Corporation will integrate its stock option plans utilizing several
different types of equity-related securities into those utilizing stock acquisition rights following the
recent amendments to the Commercial Code of Japan.
 
iii) A press release regarding Authorization by shareholder resolution for purchases of its own shares.


 
SONY
 
Sony Corporation         
6-7-35 Kitashinagawa, 
Shinagawa-ku               
Tokyo, 141-0001 Japan
 
News & Information
 
Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2002
 
No: 02-013E
3:00 P.M. JST, April 25, 2002
 
Largest Consolidated Sales Recorded
Operating Income Down 40% Year on Year
 
Tokyo, April 25, 2002—Sony Corporation announced today its consolidated results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 (April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002).
 
Highlights
 
 
 
Aided by the depreciation of the yen, Sony achieved the largest consolidated sales in our history, ¥7,578.3 billion ($57 billion), on a U.S. GAAP basis, despite the difficult global economic environment in the fiscal year. However, operating income fell sharply and net income fell 8.6%.
 
 
 
The Game business recovered. Strong sales of PlayStation 2 hardware and software led to significant increases in sales and operating income.
 
 
 
In the Electronics business, sales decreased 3.0% and a ¥8.2 billion ($62 million) loss was recorded compared with operating income of ¥247.1 billion in the previous fiscal year. Through tighter control of inventory in all regions, inventory was reduced ¥277.6 billion ($2,087 million), or 35.1%, year on year.
 
 
 
The Pictures business’ operating performance improved significantly due to a more profitable film slate including strong worldwide DVD software sales.
 
 
 
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003, we forecast sales to increase 6% to ¥8,000 billion ($60 billion) and operating income to increase significantly to ¥280 billion ($2,105 million).
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002*

    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥7,314.8
  
¥7,578.3
  
+3.6
%
  
$
56,979
Operating income
  
225.3
  
134.6
  
-40.3
 
  
 
1,012
Income before income taxes
  
265.9
  
92.8
  
-65.1
 
  
 
698
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
121.2
  
9.3
  
-92.3
 
  
 
70
Net income
 
  
16.8
  
15.3
  
-8.6
 
  
 
115
Per share of common stock
                       
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
                       
— Basic
  
¥132.64
  
¥10.21
  
-92.3
 
  
$
0.08
— Diluted
  
124.36
  
10.18
  
-91.8
 
  
 
0.08
Net income
                       
— Basic
  
18.33
  
16.72
  
-8.8
 
  
 
0.13
— Diluted
  
19.28
  
16.67
  
-13.5
 
  
 
0.13

*
 
U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from yen, for convenience only, at the rate of ¥133=U.S.$1, the approximate Tokyo foreign exchange market rate as of March 29, 2002.

1


 
Remarks by Nobuyuki Idei, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation
 
The global economic environment in which Sony operates continued to show weakness during the fiscal year, reflecting the further economic slowdown and decline in consumer demand around the world. As a result of these challenges, Sony had no choice but to revise downward twice the forecast we issued at the beginning of the fiscal year. Nevertheless, at the end of the fiscal year, we were able to achieve results that surpassed our most recent forecast.
 
In response to the difficult business environment, Sony took several steps to improve our performance in the Electronics, Pictures and Music segments such as the prioritization and concentration of our businesses, a reduction of fixed costs, and a reinforcement of our inventory management. In order to strengthen our mobile handset business, we established a joint venture with Ericsson on October 1, 2001, and that venture is now progressing in a satisfactory manner. Regarding Aiwa Co., Ltd., we decided to privatize the company on October 1, 2002 with the goal of developing a new brand strategy.
 
The PlayStation 2 business gained stature during the fiscal year as a platform that generates a positive return through the steady penetration of its hardware and the frequent release of attractive software. As a result, in the Game segment, sales exceeded the ¥1,000 billion ($7,519 million) mark and profitability significantly increased. During the fiscal year, the second year since its launch, the PlayStation 2 business entered its harvest stage. Going forward, in addition to expanding the Game business, we will increase profitability by fully utilizing the business-opportunity-expanding potential of all the hardware in the Sony Group.
 
Since we expect the severe economic environment to continue in the next fiscal year, we aim to raise our level of profitability through the further restructuring of the entire Sony Group. Sony has a variety of businesses under its umbrella: Electronics, Game, Music, Pictures, Internet Communication Services and Financial Services. By utilizing this unique structure and through the mutual cooperation between these businesses, we will work to provide consumers with attractive contents, services and hardware, and we will strive to enhance corporate value.
 
Consolidated Results for the Fiscal Year
 
Note I:    During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, the average value of the yen was ¥124.1 against the U.S. dollar and ¥109.1 against the euro, which was 11.7% lower against the U.S. dollar and 9.3% lower against the euro, compared with the previous fiscal year. Operating results on a local currency basis described in the following pages reflect sales and operating revenue (“sales”) and operating income (loss) obtained by applying the yen’s average exchange rate in the previous fiscal year to local currency-denominated monthly sales, cost of sales, and selling, general and administrative expenses in the fiscal year. Local currency basis results are not reflected in Sony’s financial statements and are not measures conforming with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). In addition, Sony does not believe that these measures are a substitute for U.S. GAAP measures. However, Sony believes that local currency basis results provide additional useful information to investors regarding operating performance.
 
Note II:    Commencing with the first quarter ended June 30, 2001, Sony has partly realigned its business segment configuration. In accordance with this change, results of the previous fiscal year have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.
 
Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are on a U.S. GAAP basis.
 
Sales were ¥7,578.3 billion ($57 billion), an increase of 3.6% year on year (4% decrease on a local currency basis).
 
 
 
Sales in our Electronics segment declined 3.0% due to weak market conditions and intensified price competition. However, due to a 51.9% increase in sales in the Game segment, we achieved our highest sales ever recorded.
 
Operating income was ¥134.6 billion ($1,012 million), a decrease of ¥90.7 billion, or 40.3%, year on year.
 
 
 
In the Game segment, operating income increased ¥134.0 billion. In the Electronics segment, an operating loss of ¥8.2 billion ($62 million) was recorded compared to operating income of ¥247.1 billion in the previous year, a decrease of ¥255.3 billion.
 
 
 
Profitability in the Game segment significantly increased because:

2


 
®
 
The PlayStation 2 (“PS 2”) business had a significant increase in sales.
 
 
®
 
The cost of manufacturing the PS 2 declined due to cost reduction initiatives.
 
 
 
In the Electronics segment, despite the positive impact of the depreciation of the yen, weak market conditions around the world and our implementation of restructuring initiatives led to a significant decline in profitability.
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses during the fiscal year increased ¥129.8 billion, primarily due to the impact of the yen’s depreciation and higher personnel expenses.
 
Income before income taxes was ¥92.8 billion ($698 million), a decrease of ¥173.1 billion, or 65.1%, year on year.
 
 
 
In addition to the drop in operating income, other income decreased ¥71.3 billion and other expenses increased ¥11.1 billion.
 
 
®
 
Other income decreased because, in the previous fiscal year, Sony recorded a ¥41.7 billion gain from the sale of stock in subsidiaries including a subsidiary engaged in a television channel operation in India.
 
 
®
 
Other expenses increased because net foreign exchange losses increased ¥16.1 billion in association with foreign exchange contracts; the yen’s depreciation exceeded our contracted rate.
 
Net income was ¥15.3 billion ($115 million), a decrease of ¥1.5 billion, or 8.6%, year on year.
 
 
 
Income taxes decreased ¥50.3 billion, and equity in net losses of affiliated companies decreased ¥10.0 billion. Moreover, ¥104.5 billion was recorded for a cumulative effect of accounting changes in the previous fiscal year. Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes decreased 92.3%.
 
 
®
 
Equity in net losses of affiliated companies decreased because:
 
 
 
In the previous fiscal year, Sony recorded a ¥25.0 billion equity in net loss, which includes an impairment loss for the entire carrying value of its investment, in regards to Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corporation, a theatrical exhibition company.
 
 
 
On the other hand, in the fiscal year, Sony recorded a ¥7.4 billion ($56 million) loss for our portion of the loss generated by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, a mobile handset joint venture established in October 2001.
 
 
®
 
Changes in accounting standards were adopted in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 and were made for one-time cumulative effect adjustments primarily in the Pictures business.
 
 
®
 
The effective income tax rate was 70.3% (the rate in the previous year was 43.5%).
 
 
 
Compared with the previous fiscal year, the effective tax rate increased because losses expanded at subsidiaries such as Aiwa Co., Ltd. (“Aiwa”) and certain consolidated subsidiaries in the U.S. that are not expected to be able to utilize their loss carryforwards for tax purposes within the period set aside for those carryforwards.
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” adopted in the first quarter of the fiscal yearended March 31, 2002 (refer to Note 7 in the consolidated financial statements portion of this release) had a ¥20.1 billion ($151 million) positive effect on operating income and income before income taxes, and an ¥18.9 billion ($142 million) positive effect on net income.
 
 
 
By segment, the change in accounting standard positively affected the Electronics business ¥3.0 billion ($23 million), the Game business ¥10.5 billion ($79 million), the Music business ¥3.4 billion ($26 million), and the Pictures business ¥3.2 billion ($24 million).
 
Operating Performance Highlights by Business Segment
 
Note III:    “Sales and operating revenue” in each business segment represents sales and operating revenue recorded before intersegment transactions are eliminated. “Operating income” in each business segment represents operating income recorded before intersegment transactions and unallocated corporate expenses are eliminated.
 
Note IV:    Sales of mobile handsets are no longer recorded in the “Information and Communications” product category of the Electronics segment as of the second half of the fiscal year. From the second half, sales of mobile handsets manufactured for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, established in October 2001, are recorded in the “Other” product category of the Electronics segment.

3


 
Electronics
 
   
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

  
2002

    
Change

    
2002

 
    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥5,473.4
  
¥5,310.4
 
  
-3.0
%
  
$
39,928
 
Operating income (loss)
  
247.1
  
(8.2
)
         
 
(62
)
 
Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are on a U.S. GAAP basis.
 
Sales were ¥5,310.4 billion ($40 billion), a decrease of 3.0% year on year (10% decrease on a local currency basis).
 
 
 
On a product category basis, sales increased in “Televisions” by 6.3%, in “Video” by 1.9%, and in “Information and Communications” (in the case where mobile handsets are excluded, see Note IV), by 1.1%. Within the “Information and Communications” category, VAIO PCs increased 16.1%.
 
 
 
Sales decreased in “Semiconductors” by 23.3%, in “Components” by 6.5%, in “Audio” by 1.2%, and in “Other” (which contains Aiwa) by 11.5%.
 
 
®
 
On a local currency basis:
 
 
 
Products with significant decreases in sales were semiconductors and OEM businesses, including computer displays and data storage devices. Products with increases in sales included VAIO PCs, personal digital assistants (“CLIE”), digital still cameras, and projection TVs.
 
 
 
On a geographic basis, sales in all regions declined.
 
In terms of profitability, an operating loss of ¥8.2 billion ($62 million) was recorded compared with operating income of ¥247.1 billion in the previous fiscal year, a decrease of ¥255.3 billion year on year.
 
 
 
Reasons why a loss was recorded include:
 
 
®
 
A worldwide drop in market prices.
 
 
®
 
A decline in demand for semiconductors and OEM products such as PC peripherals.
 
 
®
 
Restructuring charges of ¥85 billion including Aiwa.
 
 
®
 
Losses in the mobile handset business.
 
 
®
 
Losses at Aiwa.
 
 
 
On a product category basis, “Audio,” in which Net MD devices and Home Theater systems were particularly well received, increased in profitability while “Semiconductors” and “Information and Communications” (refer to Note IV) significantly decreased in profitability.
 
Inventory at the end of the fiscal year was ¥513.4 billion ($3,860 million), a ¥277.6 billion, or 35.1%, decrease year on year.
 
 
 
By strengthening the supply chain management system that controls the procurement of raw materials, production, and inventory in response to actual changes in demand throughout Sony, particularly through the establishment of Sony EMCS Corporation in April 2001, we reduced inventory significantly.
 
Game
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

    
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥660.9
 
  
¥1,003.7
  
+51.9
%
  
$
7,547
Operating income (loss)
  
(51.1
)
  
82.9
         
 
623
 
Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are on a U.S. GAAP basis.
 
Sales were ¥1,003.7 billion ($7,547 million), an increase of 51.9% year on year (40% increase on a local currency basis).

4


 
 
 
Due to strong demand for PlayStation 2 (“PS 2”) hardware and software, we attained record sales. However, sales of PS one hardware and software decreased.
 
 
®
 
On a geographic and local currency basis, sales increased slightly in Japan and significantly in the U.S. and Europe.
 
 
 
In terms of hardware, sales of PS 2 were strong around the world, with significant increases in the U.S. and Europe.
 
 
 
Software sold well in the U.S. and Europe. In Japan, sales decreased slightly.
 
 
 
Worldwide hardware production shipments:
 
 
®
 
PS2: 18.07 million units (an increase of 8.87 million units)
 
 
®
 
PS one: 7.40 million units (a decrease of 1.91 million units)
 
 
 
Worldwide software unit production shipments:
 
 
®
 
PS 2: 121.80 million units (an increase of 86.40 million units)
 
 
®
 
PlayStation: 91.00 million units (a decrease of 44.00 million units)
 
 
 
In terms of total software unit sales, PS 2 titles represented 57%, an increase from the 21% recorded last fiscal year.
 
In terms of profitability, operating income of ¥82.9 billion ($623 million) was recorded compared with an operating loss of ¥51.1 billion in the previous fiscal year, an increase of ¥134.0 billion year on year.
 
 
 
Reductions in the cost of manufacturing PS 2 hardware and the yen’s depreciation led to an improvement in gross margins. This improvement, along with an increase in gross margins of software, led to the large improvement in profitability.
 
Inventory at the end of the fiscal year was ¥119.0 billion ($895 million), a ¥14.3 billion, or 13.7%, increase year on year.
 
Music
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥612.1
  
¥642.8
  
+5.0
%
  
$
4,833
Operating income
  
20.5
  
20.2
  
-1.6
 
  
 
152
 
The amounts presented above are the sum of the yen-translated results of Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (“SMEI”—a U.S. based operation which aggregates the results of its worldwide subsidiaries on a U.S. dollar basis) and the results of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (“SMEJ”—a Japan based operation which aggregates results in yen). Management analyzes the results of SMEI in U.S. dollars, so discussion of certain portions of its results are specified as being on “a U.S. dollar basis.”
 
Sales were ¥642.8 billion ($4,833 million), an increase of 5.0% year on year (3% decrease on a local currency basis). 69% of the Music segment’s sales were generated by SMEI. 31% of sales were generated by SMEJ.
 
 
 
On a U.S. dollar basis, SMEI’s sales decreased 4%.
 
 
®
 
This was due to the contraction of the global music industry, an increase in digital piracy and the negative impact of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the U.S.
 
 
®
 
Destiny Child’s Survivor, Shakira’s Laundry Service, Michael Jackson’s Invincible, and Jennifer Lopez’s J. Lo were some of the best selling albums.
 
 
 
Sales of SMEJ increased 2%.
 
 
®
 
Chemistry’s The way we are, GOSPELLERS’ Love Notes, and Ken Hirai’s gaining through losing were some of the best selling albums.
 
Operating income was ¥20.2 billion ($152 million), a decrease of ¥0.3 billion, or 1.6%, year on year (3% decrease on a local currency basis).
 
 
 
On a U.S. dollar basis, SMEI’s operating income decreased 20%.
 
 
®
 
The revenue-reducing factors noted above and costs incurred for ongoing restructuring activities—including the reduction in the number of worldwide employees, the rationalization of digital media initiatives and portfolio investments, and the settlement of certain significant industry-wide litigation-were the primary reasons for the decline in operating income.
 
 
®
 
On the other hand, the benefit of aggressive worldwide restructuring and cost reduction initiatives partially offset the drop in operating income. During the fiscal year, total restructuring charges of $68 million were recorded, primarily for headcount reductions and lease termination costs.
 
 
 
Operating income of SMEJ increased 18%.
 
 
®
 
Despite the decline of the music industry, a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses, particularly advertising expenses, and a recording of a gain on sale of long-lived assets from the sale of a studio facility led to an increase in operating income.

5


 
Pictures
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥555.2
  
¥635.8
  
+ 14.5
%
  
$
4,781
Operating income
  
4.3
  
31.3
  
+ 624.6
 
  
 
235
 
The results presented above are a yen-translation of the results of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE—a U.S. based operation which aggregates the results of its worldwide subsidiaries on a U.S. dollar basis). Management analyzes the results of SPE in U.S. dollars, so discussion of certain portions of its results are specified as being on “a U.S. dollar basis.”
 
Sales were ¥635.8 billion ($4,781 million), an increase of 14.5% year on year (2% increase on a U.S dollar basis).
 
 
 
The reasons for the increase in sales (on a U.S. dollar basis) were:
 
 
®
 
A Knight’s Tale, America’s Sweethearts, and Black Hawk Down were some of the strongest performers.
 
 
®
 
Strong DVD software sales of prior fiscal year films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Vertical Limit also contributed to the increase in sales.
 
 
®
 
The game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! continued their successful runs.
 
 
 
The increase in sales was partially offset (on a U.S. dollar basis) due to:
 
 
®
 
Fewer network television shows
 
 
®
 
Lower advertising sales.
 
Operating income was ¥31.3 billion ($235 million), an increase of ¥27.0 billion, or 624.6%, year on year (952% increase on a U.S. dollar basis).
 
 
 
The reasons for the increase in operating income (on a U.S. dollar basis) were:
 
 
®
 
Consistent profitability from the film slate, with the exception of two major loss films, Ali and Riding in Cars With Boys, including the strong performance of DVD software in the worldwide home entertainment market.
 
 
®
 
The recording of an insurance recovery for losses on previous years’ released films.
 
 
®
 
Lower deficits on network television shows due to the consolidation of U.S. television operations.
 
 
 
Partially offsetting the increase in operating income (on a U.S. dollar basis) were:
 
 
®
 
A one-time restructuring charge of $67 million recorded in connection with the consolidation of U.S. television operations.
 
 
®
 
A provision with respect to income recorded from a licensee of feature film and television product.
 
 
®
 
A weak advertising sales market.

6


 
Financial Services
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Financial service revenue
  
¥478.8
  
¥512.2
  
+ 7.0
%
  
$
3,852
Operating income
  
17.4
  
22.1
  
+ 27.0
 
  
 
166
 
Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are on a U.S. GAAP basis.
 
Financial service revenue was ¥512.2 billion ($3,852 million), an increase of 7.0% year on year.
 
 
 
An increase in insurance revenue brought about by an increase in insurance-in-force from individual life insurance products at Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (“Sony Life”) greatly contributed to the increase in segment revenue. An increase in newly acquired insurance-in-force at Sony Assurance Inc. also contributed to the increase in revenue.
 
 
 
Revenue declined at Sony Finance International, Inc (“Sony Finance”).
 
Operating income was ¥22.1 billion ($166 million), an increase of ¥4.7 billion, or 27.0%, year on year.
 
 
 
Despite the impact of an impairment loss on Argentine bonds, operating income at Sony Life increased due to the significant increase in insurance revenue that accompanies the increase in insurance-in-force from individual life insurance products. Because revaluation losses from interest rate swaps decreased, Sony Finance’s operating income also increased.
 
 
 
Losses at Sony Assurance Inc. decreased over the course of the fiscal year.
 
 
 
Sony Bank Inc. recorded a loss primarily due to start-up expenses.
 
Other
 
 
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

 
    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥156.4
 
  
¥146.4
 
  
-6.4
%
  
$
1,100
 
Operating income (loss)
  
(9.4
)
  
(8.6
)
         
 
(64
)
 
Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are on a U.S. GAAP basis.
 
Sales were ¥146.4 billion ($1,100 million), a decrease of 6.4% year on year.
 
 
 
Sales declined at an advertising agency business subsidiary in Japan.
 
In terms of profitability, an operating loss of ¥8.6 billion ($64 million) was recorded compared with an operating loss of ¥9.4 billion in the previous year, an improvement of ¥0.8 billion year on year.
 
 
 
The loss was recorded primarily due to losses at our location-based entertainment businesses in Japan and the U.S., and at Sony Communication Network Corporation.
 
Consolidated Results for the Fourth Quarter ended March 31, 2002
 
Note V:    During the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2002, the average value of the yen was ¥131.5 against the U.S. dollar and ¥114.6 against the euro, which was 11.0% lower against the U.S. dollar and 6.2% lower against the euro, compared with the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year.
 
Sales were ¥1,884.6 billion ($14 billion), a decrease of 2.3% compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year (9% decrease on a local currency basis).
 
 
 
Sales in the Game segment increased as a result of the successful PlayStation 2 (“PS 2”) business. However, in the Electronics segment, a significant decrease in sales was recorded due to weak market conditions.

7


 
In terms of profitability, an operating loss of ¥23.6 billion ($177 million) was recorded compared with an operating loss of ¥3.2 billion in the fourth quarter of the previous year, a deterioration of ¥20.4 billion (¥47.6 billion decrease on a local currency basis).
 
 
 
The loss in the Electronics segment increased significantly due to weak market conditions around the world and an increase in restructuring expenses.
 
 
 
The operating performance of the Game segment significantly improved as a result of the successful PS 2 business.
 
In terms of income (loss) before income taxes, a loss of ¥12.8 billion ($96 million) was recorded compared with income of ¥16 billion in the fourth quarter of the previous year.
 
 
 
In addition to the increase in operating loss, other income decreased ¥19 billion, while other expenses decreased ¥10.7 billion.
 
®
 
Other income decreased because, in the fourth quarter of the previous year, a gain on sales of securities investments and other, net and gains from the contribution of securities to employee retirement benefit trusts were recorded.
 
 
®
 
Other expenses decreased because of a decrease in interest expense.
 
In terms of net income (loss), a loss of ¥5.5 billion ($41 million) was recorded compared with income of ¥15.8 billion in the fourth quarter of the previous year.
 
 
 
Income taxes decreased ¥16.2 billion and equity in net losses of affiliated companies increased ¥5.7 billion.
 
 
®
 
Equity in net losses of affiliated companies increased because of the increase in losses of The Columbia House Company, a direct marketer of music and videos, and S.T. Liquid Crystal Display Corp, a LCD joint venture.
 
Cash Flow
 
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Difference

  
2002

 
    
(Billions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Cash flow
                           
—  From operating activities
  
¥544.8
 
  
¥737.6
 
  
¥ +192.8
  
$
5,546
 
—  From investing activities
  
(719.0
)
  
(767.1
)
  
-48.1
  
 
(5,768
)
—  From financing activities
  
134.4
 
  
85.0
 
  
-49.4
  
 
639
 
Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31
  
607.2
 
  
683.8
 
  
+76.6
  
 
5,141
 
 
Cash provided by operating activities increased ¥192.8 billion.
 
 
 
Inventory that increased in the previous fiscal year decreased due to improved inventory control primarily in the Electronics segment.
 
 
 
Notes and accounts receivable that increased in the previous fiscal year decreased due to a decrease of sales in the Electronics segment.
 
Cash used in investing activities increased ¥48.1 billion.
 
 
 
Reflecting the increase of assets during the fiscal year under management in the life insurance and banking businesses, payments for investments and advances by the financial service business increased.
 
Cash provided by financing activities decreased ¥49.4 billion.
 
 
 
Despite an increase in deposits from customers in the banking business that started in the fiscal year, short-term borrowings that increased during the previous fiscal year decreased during the fiscal year.

8


 
Rewarding Shareholders
 
A year-end cash dividend of ¥12.5 ($0.09) per share of Sony Corporation common stock will be subject to approval at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, which will be held on June 20, 2002. Sony Corporation has already paid ¥12.5 per share to each shareholder; accordingly the annual cash dividend per share will be ¥25.0.
 
Sony believes that by continuously increasing corporate value, its shareholders can be rewarded. Accordingly, as for retained earnings, Sony plans to utilize them to carry out various investments that are indispensable for ensuring future growth and strengthening competitiveness.
 
 
Numbers of Employees
 
Sony reduced the number of employees, primarily in the Electronics and Music businesses. As a result, the number of employees at the end of March 2002 was approximately 168,000, a decrease of approximately 13,700 from the end of March 2001.
 
 
Outlook for the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2003
 
Regarding the forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003, despite our projection that the uncertain global operating environment will continue, we expect to achieve the following results based on an assumption that performance will improve in the latter half of the fiscal year.
 
             
Change from previous year

 
Sales and operating revenue
  
¥8,000 billion
 
    
+ 6
%
Operating income
  
280 billion
 
    
+ 108
 
Income before income taxes
  
310 billion
 
    
+ 234
 
Net income
  
150 billion
 
    
+ 880
 
Capital expenditures (additions to fixed assets)
  
¥   280 billion
 
    
-14
%
Depreciation and amortization*
  
350 billion
 
    
-1
 
(Depreciation expenses for tangible assets)
  
(260 billion
)
    
(-13
)
 
* Including amortization of intangible assets and amortization of deferred insurance acquisition costs
 
 
 
Assumed exchange rates: approximately ¥130 to the dollar, approximately ¥115 to the euro.
 
 
 
The above forecast includes the following principal factors:
 
 
®
 
Electronics segment
 
 
 
Despite the assumption of a slight decrease in sales, a significant increase in operating income.
 
 
 
An improvement in the operating income of our brand business through the strengthening of our television and display device businesses, the enhancing of our network-capable products, and the augmenting of our cost competitiveness.
 
 
 
An expansion of our charge coupled device and high temperature poli-silicon liquid crystal display (“LCD”) enterprises in our semiconductor business, and a strengthening of our low temperature poli-silicon LCD and battery enterprises in our device business.
 
 
 
An improvement in our broadcast and professional use equipment business.
 
 
 
Continued losses at Aiwa in part due to further restructuring efforts.
 
 
®
 
Game segment
 
 
 
An increase in sales as a result of increase of software sales in line with the further penetration of PlayStation 2 (“PS 2”) hardware.
 
 
 
An increase in operating income continued strong increase in software sales and further reductions in the manufacturing cost of PS 2 hardware.
 
®  Music segment
 
 
 
An increase in sales as a result of the strength of the new release schedule.
 
 
 
An improvement in operating income through further implementation of restructuring initiatives.
 
 
®
 
Pictures segment
 
 
 
An expected increase in sales due to the release of major motion pictures.

9


 
 
 
An increase in operating income of our cable television oriented business.
 
 
 
An improvement in operating income through further implementation of restructuring initiatives.
 
 
®
 
Financial Services segment
 
 
 
An increase in sales is expected due to an increase in insurance-in-force from individual insurance products in both the life insurance and non-life insurance businesses.
 
 
 
Although losses are expected to continue to be recorded in the non-life insurance business and the banking business, operating income is expected to increase due to the increase in insurance-in-force from individual life insurance products in the life insurance business.
 
 
®
 
Regarding income before income taxes, we expect to realize a gain of approximately $500 million from the sale of Sony’s equity in Telemundo Communications Group, Inc., a U.S.-based Spanish language television network and station group, which was completed on April 12, 2002.
 
 
 
Regarding capital expenditures, we plan to prioritize investments, primarily in the Electronics segment.
 
 
Cautionary Statement
 
Statements made in this release 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 using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “may” or “might” and words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operations or financial performance. 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 and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Sony cautions you 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 you should not place undue reliance on them. You 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) general economic conditions in Sony’s markets, particularly levels of consumer spending; (ii) exchange rates, particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar, euro, and other currencies in which Sony makes significant sales or in which Sony’s assets and liabilities are dominated; (iii) Sony’s ability to continue to design and develop and win acceptance of its products and services, which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by continual new product introductions, rapid development in technology (particularly in the Electronics business), and subjective and changing consumer preferences (particularly in the Game, Music, and Pictures businesses), (iv) Sony’s ability to implement successfully the restructuring of its Electronics business and its network strategy for its Electronics business; (v) Sony’s ability to compete and develop and implement successful sales and distribution strategies in light of Internet and other technological developments in its Music and Pictures businesses; (vi) Sony’s continued ability to devote sufficient resources to research and development and capital expenditures; (vii) the success of Sony’s joint ventures and alliances; and (viii) the outcome of contingencies. Risks and uncertainties also include the impact of any future events with material unforeseen impacts.
 
Investor Relations Contacts:

 
Tokyo
 
New York
 
London
Takeshi Sudo
 
Yas Hasegawa/Chris Hohman
 
Hanako Muto/Vanessa Jubenot
+81-(0)3-5448-2180
 
+1-212-833-6820/5011
 
+44-(0)20-7426-8760/8606

10


 
Business Segment Information
 
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Sales and operating revenue
                             
Electronics
                             
Customers
  
¥4,999,428
 
  
¥4,793,039
 
  
-4.1
%
  
$
36,038
 
Intersegment
  
473,966
 
  
517,407
 
         
 
3,890
 
    

  

         


Total
  
5,473,394
 
  
5,310,446
 
  
-3.0
 
  
 
39,928
 
Game
                             
Customers
  
646,147
 
  
986,529
 
  
+52.7
 
  
 
7,418
 
Intersegment
  
14,769
 
  
17,185
 
         
 
129
 
    

  

         


Total
  
660,916
 
  
1,003,714
 
  
+51.9
 
  
 
7,547
 
Music
                             
Customers
  
571,003
 
  
588,191
 
  
+3.0
 
  
 
4,422
 
Intersegment
  
41,110
 
  
54,649
 
         
 
411
 
    

  

         


Total
  
612,113
 
  
642,840
 
  
+5.0
 
  
 
4,833
 
Pictures
                             
Customers
  
555,227
 
  
635,841
 
  
+14.5
 
  
 
4,781
 
Intersegment
  
0
 
  
0
 
         
 
0
 
    

  

         


Total
  
555,227
 
  
635,841
 
  
+14.5
 
  
 
4,781
 
Financial Services
                             
Customers
  
447,147
 
  
483,313
 
  
+8.1
 
  
 
3,634
 
Intersegment
  
31,677
 
  
28,932
 
         
 
218
 
    

  

         


Total
  
478,824
 
  
512,245
 
  
+7.0
 
  
 
3,852
 
Other
                             
Customers
  
95,872
 
  
91,345
 
  
-4.7
 
  
 
686
 
Intersegment
  
60,526
 
  
55,042
 
         
 
414
 
    

  

         


Total
  
156,398
 
  
146,387
 
  
-6.4
 
  
 
1,100
 
Elimination
  
(622,048
)
  
(673,215
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(5,062
)
    

  

         


Consolidated total
  
¥7,314,824
 
  
¥7,578,258
 
  
+3.6
%
  
$
56,979
 
 
Electronics intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Game business.
 
Music intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with Game and Pictures businesses.
 
Other intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Electronics business.
 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

 
Operating income (loss)
                             
Electronics
  
¥247,083
 
  
¥   (8,237
)
  
—  
%
  
$
(62
)
Game
  
(51,118
)
  
82,915
 
  
—  
 
  
 
623
 
Music
  
20,502
 
  
20,175
 
  
-1.6
 
  
 
152
 
Pictures
  
4,315
 
  
31,266
 
  
+624.6
 
  
 
235
 
Financial Services
  
17,432
 
  
22,134
 
  
+27.0
 
  
 
166
 
Other
  
(9,374
)
  
(8,584
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(64
)
    

  

         


Total
  
228,840
 
  
139,669
 
  
-39.0
 
  
 
1,050
 
Corporate and elimination
  
(3,494
)
  
(5,038
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(38
)
    

  

         


Consolidated total
  
¥225,346
 
  
¥134,631
 
  
-40.3
%
  
$
1,012
 
 
Commencing with the first quarter ended June 30, 2001, Sony has partly realigned its business segment configuration.
 
In accordance with this change, results of the previous year have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2002.

11


 
    
Three months ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Sales and operating revenue
                             
Electronics
                             
Customers
  
¥1,257,237
 
  
¥1,165,630
 
  
-7.3
%
  
$
8,764
 
Intersegment
  
176,112
 
  
92,813
 
         
 
698
 
    

  

         


Total
  
1,433,349
 
  
1,258,443
 
  
-12.2
 
  
 
9,462
 
Game
                             
Customers
  
186,220
 
  
217,740
 
  
+16.9
 
  
 
1,637
 
Intersegment
  
5,200
 
  
5,079
 
         
 
38
 
    

  

         


Total
  
191,420
 
  
222,819
 
  
+16.4
 
  
 
1,675
 
Music
                             
Customers
  
146,825
 
  
140,496
 
  
-4.3
 
  
 
1,056
 
Intersegment
  
11,580
 
  
13,189
 
         
 
99
 
    

  

         


Total
  
158,405
 
  
153,685
 
  
-3.0
 
  
 
1,155
 
Pictures
                             
Customers
  
191,957
 
  
194,776
 
  
+1.5
 
  
 
1,465
 
Intersegment
  
0
 
  
0
 
         
 
0
 
    

  

         


Total
  
191,957
 
  
194,776
 
  
+1.5
 
  
 
1,465
 
Financial Services
                             
Customers
  
124,965
 
  
141,134
 
  
+12.9
 
  
 
1,061
 
Intersegment
  
11,076
 
  
7,647
 
         
 
57
 
    

  

         


Total
  
136,041
 
  
148,781
 
  
+9.4
 
  
 
1,118
 
Other
                             
Customers
  
21,981
 
  
24,775
 
  
+12.7
 
  
 
186
 
Intersegment
  
16,105
 
  
12,848
 
         
 
97
 
    

  

         


Total
  
38,086
 
  
37,623
 
  
-1.2
 
  
 
283
 
Elimination
  
(220,073
)
  
(131,576
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(989
)
    

  

         


Consolidated total
  
¥1,929,185
 
  
¥1,884,551
 
  
-2.3
%
  
$
14,169
 
 
Electronics intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Game business.
 
Music intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with Game and Pictures businesses.
 
Other intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the Electronics business.
 
    
2001

    
2001

    
Change

    
2001

 
Operating income (loss)
                             
Electronics
  
¥   (9,221
)
  
¥(53,090
)
  
—  
%
  
$
(399
)
Game
  
(16,234
)
  
15,558
 
  
—  
 
  
 
117
 
Music
  
8,581
 
  
(2,057
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(15
)
Pictures
  
19,469
 
  
11,606
 
  
-40.4
 
  
 
87
 
Financial Services
  
1,222
 
  
10,788
 
  
+782.8
 
  
 
81
 
Other
  
(4,638
)
  
(3,136
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(24
)
    

  

         


Total
  
(821
)
  
(20,331
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(153
)
Corporate and elimination
  
(2,330
)
  
(3,261
)
  
—  
 
  
 
(24
)
    

  

         


Consolidated total
  
¥   (3,151
)
  
¥(23,592
)
  
—  
 
  
$
(177
)
 
Commencing with the first quarter ended June 30, 2001, Sony has partly realigned its business segment configuration.
 
In accordance with this change, results of the previous year have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the quarter ended March 31, 2002

12


 
Electronics Sales and Operating Revenue to Customers by Product Category
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Sales and operating revenue
                       
Audio
  
¥    756,393
  
¥    747,469
  
-1.2
%
  
$
5,620
Video
  
791,465
  
806,401
  
+1.9
 
  
 
6,063
Televisions
  
703,698
  
747,877
  
+6.3
 
  
 
5,623
Information and communications
  
1,322,818
  
1,227,685
  
-7.2
 
  
 
9,231
Semiconductors
  
237,668
  
182,276
  
-23.3
 
  
 
1,371
Components
  
612,520
  
572,465
  
-6.5
 
  
 
4,304
Other
  
574,866
  
508,866
  
-11.5
 
  
 
3,826
    
  
         

Total
  
¥4,999,428
  
¥4,793,039
  
-4.1
%
  
$
36,038
 
    
Three months ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

Sales and operating revenue
                       
Audio
  
¥    179,471
  
¥    148,396
  
-17.3
%
  
$
1,116
Video
  
165,670
  
157,428
  
-5.0
 
  
 
1,183
Televisions
  
164,792
  
193,286
  
+17.3
 
  
 
1,453
Information and communications
  
402,672
  
329,532
  
-18.2
 
  
 
2,478
Semiconductors
  
60,620
  
45,309
  
-25.3
 
  
 
341
Components
  
152,648
  
154,274
  
+1.1
 
  
 
1,160
Other
  
131,364
  
137,405
  
+4.6
 
  
 
1,033
    
  
         

Total
  
¥1,257,237
  
¥1,165,630
  
-7.3
%
  
$
8,764
 
The above table is a breakdown of Electronics sales and operating revenue to customers in the Business Segment Information on pages 11 and 12. The Electronics business is managed as a single operating segment by Sony’s management. However, Sony believes that the information in this table is useful to investors in understanding the sales contributions of the products in this business segment. In addition, commencing with the first quarter ended June 30, 2001, Sony has partly realigned its product category configuration in the Electronics business.
 
In accordance with this change, results of the previous year have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the current quarter. Sales of mobile phones are no longer recorded in the “Information and Communications” category as of the third quarter of the current fiscal year. From the third quarter, sales of mobile phones manufactured for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications are recorded in the “Other” product category.
 
 
Geographic Segment Information
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Sales and operating revenue
                       
Japan
  
¥2,400,777
  
¥2,248,115
  
-6.4
%
  
$
16,903
United States
  
2,179,833
  
2,461,523
  
+12.9
 
  
 
18,508
Europe
  
1,473,780
  
1,609,111
  
+9.2
 
  
 
12,098
Other Areas
  
1,260,434
  
1,259,509
  
-0.1
 
  
 
9,470
    
  
         

Total
  
¥7,314,824
  
¥7,578,258
  
+3.6
%
  
$
56,979
 
    
Three months ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
Change

    
2002

Sales and operating revenue
                       
Japan
  
¥  635,993
  
¥  586,037
  
-7.9
%
  
$
4,407
United States
  
580,646
  
575,407
  
-0.9
 
  
 
4,326
Europe
  
394,225
  
408,507
  
+3.6
 
  
 
3,071
Other Areas
  
318,321
  
314,600
  
-1.2
 
  
 
2,365
    
  
         

Total
  
¥1,929,185
  
¥1,884,551
  
-2.3
%
  
$
14,169
 
Classification of Geographic Segment Information shows sales and operating revenue recognized by location of customers.

13


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
 
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

  
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
Sales and operating revenue:
                    
%
        
Net sales
  
¥
6,829,003
 
  
¥
7,058,755
 
       
$
53,073
 
Financial Service revenue
  
 
447,147
 
  
 
483,313
 
       
 
3,634
 
Other operating revenue
  
 
38,674
 
  
 
36,190
 
       
 
272
 
    


  


       


    
 
7,314,824
 
  
 
7,578,258
 
  
+3.6
  
 
56,979
 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
  
 
5,046,694
 
  
 
5,239,592
 
       
 
39,395
 
Selling, general and administrative
  
 
1,613,069
 
  
 
1,742,856
 
       
 
13,104
 
Financial service expenses
  
 
429,715
 
  
 
461,179
 
       
 
3,468
 
    


  


       


    
 
7,089,478
 
  
 
7,443,627
 
       
 
55,967
 
Operating income
  
 
225,346
 
  
 
134,631
 
  
-40.3
  
 
1,012
 
Other income:
                               
Interest and dividends
  
 
18,541
 
  
 
16,021
 
       
 
120
 
Royalty income
  
 
29,302
 
  
 
33,512
 
       
 
252
 
Gain on sales of securities investments and other, net
  
 
41,708
 
  
 
1,398
 
       
 
11
 
Gain on issuances of stock by equity investees
  
 
18,030
 
  
 
503
 
       
 
4
 
Other
  
 
60,073
 
  
 
44,894
 
       
 
337
 
    


  


       


    
 
167,654
 
  
 
96,328
 
       
 
724
 
Other expenses:
                               
Interest
  
 
43,015
 
  
 
36,436
 
       
 
274
 
Loss on devaluation of securities investments
  
 
4,230
 
  
 
18,458
 
       
 
139
 
Foreign exchange loss, net
  
 
15,660
 
  
 
31,736
 
       
 
239
 
Other
  
 
64,227
 
  
 
51,554
 
       
 
386
 
    


  


       


    
 
127,132
 
  
 
138,184
 
       
 
1,038
 
Income before income taxes
  
 
265,868
 
  
 
92,775
 
  
-65.1
  
 
698
 
Income taxes
  
 
115,534
 
  
 
65,211
 
       
 
490
 
Income before minority interest, equity in net losses of affiliated companies and cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
 
150,334
 
  
 
27,564
 
       
 
208
 
Minority interest in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
  
 
(15,348
)
  
 
(16,240
)
       
 
(121
)
Equity in net losses of affiliated companies
  
 
44,455
 
  
 
34,472
 
       
 
259
 
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
 
121,227
 
  
 
9,332
 
  
-92.3
  
 
70
 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes (2001: Including ¥491 million income tax expense 2002: Net of income taxes of ¥2,975 million)
  
 
(104,473
)
  
 
5,978
 
       
 
45
 
    


  


       


Net income
  
¥
16,754
 
  
¥
15,310
 
  
-8.6
  
$
115
 
    


  


       


Retained earnings:
                               
Balance, beginning of year
  
¥
1,223,761
 
  
¥
1,217,110
 
       
$
9,151
 
Net income
  
 
16,754
 
  
 
15,310
 
       
 
115
 
Cash dividends
  
 
(22,939
)
  
 
(22,992
)
       
 
(173
)
Common stock issue costs, net of tax
  
 
(466
)
  
 
(166
)
       
 
(1
)
    


  


       


Balance, end of year
  
¥
1,217,110
 
  
¥
1,209,262
 
       
$
9,092
 
    


  


       


Per share data:
                               
Common stock
                               
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
                               
— Basic
  
¥
132.64
 
  
¥
10.21
 
  
-92.3
  
 
0.08
 
— Diluted
  
 
124.36
 
  
 
10.18
 
  
-91.8
  
 
0.08
 
Net income
                               
— Basic
  
 
18.33
 
  
 
16.72
 
  
-8.8
  
 
0.13
 
— Diluted
  
 
19.28
 
  
 
16.67
 
  
-13.5
  
 
0.13
 
Subsidiary tracking stock
                               
Net income (loss)
                               
— Basic
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(15.87
)
  
—  
  
 
(0.12
)

14


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
 
    
Three months ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

  
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
Sales and operating revenue:
                             
Net sales
  
¥1,794,917
 
  
¥1,733,679
 
  
 
%
  
$
13,035
 
Financial service revenue
  
124,965
 
  
141,134
 
         
 
1,061
 
Other operating revenue
  
9,303
 
  
9,738
 
         
 
73
 
    

  

         


    
1,929,185
 
  
1,884,551
 
  
 
-2.3  
  
 
14,169
 
Costs and expenses:
                             
Cost of sales
  
1,372,362
 
  
1,313,570
 
         
 
9,876
 
Selling, general and administrative
  
436,231
 
  
464,227
 
         
 
3,490
 
Financial service expenses
  
123,743
 
  
130,346
 
         
 
980
 
    

  

         


    
1,932,336
 
  
1,908,143
 
         
 
14,346
 
Operating income (loss)
  
(3,151
)
  
(23,592
)
  
 
—    
  
 
(177
)
Other income:
                             
Interest and dividends
  
2,636
 
  
4,403
 
         
 
33
 
Royalty income
  
10,539
 
  
14,769
 
         
 
111
 
Gain on sales of securities investments and other, net
  
18,471
 
  
1,081
 
         
 
8
 
Other
  
27,358
 
  
19,750
 
         
 
149
 
    

  

         


    
59,004
 
  
40,003
 
         
 
301
 
Other expenses:
                             
Interest
  
10,447
 
  
3,897
 
         
 
29
 
Loss on devaluation of securities investments
  
1,279
 
  
4,843
 
         
 
36
 
Foreign exchange loss, net
  
1,857
 
  
773
 
         
 
6
 
Other
  
26,287
 
  
19,695
 
         
 
149
 
    

  

         


    
39,870
 
  
29,208
 
         
 
220
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
  
15,983
 
  
(12,797
)
  
 
—    
  
 
(96
)
Income taxes
  
7,251
 
  
(8,908
)
         
 
(67
)
Income (loss) before minority interest and equity in net losses of affiliated companies
  
8,732
 
  
(3,889
)
         
 
(29
)
Minority interest in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries
  
(9,506
)
  
(6,605
)
         
 
(49
)
Equity in net losses of affiliated companies
  
2,476
 
  
8,174
 
         
 
61
 
    

  

         


Net income (loss)
  
¥      15,762
 
  
¥      (5,458
)
  
 
—    
  
$
(41
)
    

  

         


Per share data
                             
Common stock
                             
Net income (loss)
                             
— Basic
  
¥        17.20
 
  
¥        (5.91
)
  
 
—    
  
$
(0.04
)
— Diluted
  
16.46
 
  
(5.91
)
  
 
—    
  
 
(0.04
)
Subsidiary tracking stock
                             
Net income (loss)
                             
— Basic
  
 
  
(10.97
)
  
 
—    
  
 
(0.08
)

15


 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
    
March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
ASSETS
                          
Current assets:
                          
Cash and cash equivalents
  
¥
607,245
 
  
¥
683,800
 
  
$
5,141
 
Time deposits
  
 
5,909
 
  
 
5,176
 
  
 
39
 
Marketable securities
  
 
90,094
 
  
 
162,147
 
  
 
1,219
 
Notes and accounts receivable, trade
  
 
1,404,952
 
  
 
1,363,652
 
  
 
10,253
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns
  
 
(109,648
)
  
 
(120,826
)
  
 
(908
)
Inventories
  
 
942,876
 
  
 
673,437
 
  
 
5,063
 
Deferred income taxes
  
 
141,473
 
  
 
134,299
 
  
 
1,010
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  
 
394,573
 
  
 
435,527
 
  
 
3,275
 
    


  


  


Total current assets
  
 
3,477,474
 
  
 
3,337,212
 
  
 
25,092
 
Film costs
  
 
297,617
 
  
 
313,054
 
  
 
2,354
 
Investments and advances
                          
Affiliated companies
  
 
104,032
 
  
 
131,068
 
  
 
985
 
Securities investments and other
  
 
1,284,956
 
  
 
1,566,739
 
  
 
11,780
 
    


  


  


    
 
1,388,988
 
  
 
1,697,807
 
  
 
12,765
 
Property, plant and equipment
                          
Land
  
 
190,394
 
  
 
195,292
 
  
 
1,468
 
Buildings
  
 
828,554
 
  
 
891,436
 
  
 
6,703
 
Machinery and equipment
  
 
2,113,005
 
  
 
2,216,347
 
  
 
16,664
 
Construction in progress
  
 
165,047
 
  
 
66,825
 
  
 
503
 
Less—Accumulated depreciation
  
 
(1,862,701
)
  
 
(1,958,234
)
  
 
(14,724
)
    


  


  


    
 
1,434,299
 
  
 
1,411,666
 
  
 
10,614
 
Other assets:
                          
Intangibles, net
  
 
221,289
 
  
 
245,639
 
  
 
1,847
 
Goodwill, net
  
 
305,159
 
  
 
317,240
 
  
 
2,385
 
Deferred insurance acquisition costs
  
 
270,022
 
  
 
308,204
 
  
 
2,317
 
Other
  
 
433,118
 
  
 
554,973
 
  
 
4,173
 
    


  


  


    
 
1,229,588
 
  
 
1,426,056
 
  
 
10,722
 
    


  


  


    
¥
7,827,966
 
  
¥
8,185,795
 
  
$
61,547
 
    


  


  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                          
Current liabilities:
                          
Short-term borrowings
  
¥
185,535
 
  
¥
113,277
 
  
$
852
 
Current portion of long-term debt
  
 
170,838
 
  
 
240,786
 
  
 
1,810
 
Notes and accounts payable, trade
  
 
925,021
 
  
 
767,625
 
  
 
5,772
 
Accounts payable, other and accrued expenses
  
 
807,532
 
  
 
869,533
 
  
 
6,538
 
Accrued income and other taxes
  
 
133,031
 
  
 
105,470
 
  
 
793
 
Deposits from customers in the banking business
  
 
  —  
 
  
 
106,472
 
  
 
801
 
Other
  
 
424,783
 
  
 
355,333
 
  
 
2,671
 
    


  


  


Total current liabilities
  
 
2,646,740
 
  
 
2,558,496
 
  
 
19,237
 
Long-term liabilities:
                          
Long-term debt
  
 
843,687
 
  
 
838,617
 
  
 
6,305
 
Accrued pension and severance costs
  
 
220,787
 
  
 
299,089
 
  
 
2,249
 
Deferred income taxes
  
 
175,148
 
  
 
159,573
 
  
 
1,200
 
Future insurance policy benefits and other
  
 
1,366,013
 
  
 
1,680,418
 
  
 
12,635
 
Other
  
 
241,101
 
  
 
255,824
 
  
 
1,922
 
    


  


  


    
 
2,846,736
 
  
 
3,233,521
 
  
 
24,311
 
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries
  
 
19,037
 
  
 
23,368
 
  
 
176
 
Stockholders’ equity:
                          
Capital stock
  
 
472,002
 
  
 
476,106
 
  
 
3,580
 
Additional paid-in capital
  
 
962,401
 
  
 
968,223
 
  
 
7,280
 
Retained earnings
  
 
1,217,110
 
  
 
1,209,262
 
  
 
9,092
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  
 
(328,567
)
  
 
(275,593
)
  
 
(2,072
)
Treasury stock, at cost
  
 
(7,493
)
  
 
(7,588
)
  
 
(57
)
    


  


  


    
 
2,315,453
 
  
 
2,370,410
 
  
 
17,823
 
    


  


  


    
¥
7,827,966
 
  
¥
8,185,795
 
  
$
61,547
 
    


  


  


16


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
    
Year ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
2002

 
    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                          
Net income
  
¥
16,754
 
  
¥
15,310
 
  
$
115
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities—  
                          
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred insurance acquisition costs
  
 
348,268
 
  
 
354,135
 
  
 
2,663
 
Amortization of film costs
  
 
244,649
 
  
 
242,614
 
  
 
1,824
 
Accrual for pension and severance costs, less payments
  
 
21,759
 
  
 
14,995
 
  
 
113
 
Loss on sale, disposal or impairment of long-lived assets, net
  
 
24,304
 
  
 
49,862
 
  
 
375
 
Deferred income taxes
  
 
(5,579
)
  
 
(49,719
)
  
 
(374
)
Equity in net losses of affiliated companies, net of dividends
  
 
47,219
 
  
 
37,537
 
  
 
282
 
Cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
 
104,473
 
  
 
(5,978
)
  
 
(45
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                          
(Increase) decrease in notes and accounts receivable
  
 
(177,484
)
  
 
111,301
 
  
 
837
 
(Increase) decrease in inventories
  
 
(103,085
)
  
 
290,872
 
  
 
2,187
 
Increase in film costs (after adjusted cumulative effect of accounting changes)
  
 
(269,004
)
  
 
(236,072
)
  
 
(1,775
)
Increase (decrease) in notes and accounts payable
  
 
95,213
 
  
 
(172,626
)
  
 
(1,298
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued income and other taxes
  
 
38,749
 
  
 
(39,589
)
  
 
(298
)
Increase in future insurance policy benefits and other
  
 
241,140
 
  
 
314,405
 
  
 
2,364
 
Increase in deferred insurance acquisition costs
  
 
(68,927
)
  
 
(71,522
)
  
 
(538
)
Changes in other current assets and liabilities, net
  
 
71,193
 
  
 
(13,875
)
  
 
(104
)
Other
  
 
(84,875
)
  
 
(104,054
)
  
 
(782
)
    


  


  


Net cash provided by operating activities
  
 
544,767
 
  
 
737,596
 
  
 
5,546
 
    


  


  


Cash flows from investing activities:
                          
Payments for purchases of fixed assets
  
 
(468,019
)
  
 
(388,514
)
  
 
(2,921
)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets
  
 
26,704
 
  
 
37,434
 
  
 
281
 
Payments for investments and advances by financial service business
  
 
(329,319
)
  
 
(705,796
)
  
 
(5,307
)
Payments for investments and advances (other than financial service business)
  
 
(119,816
)
  
 
(89,580
)
  
 
(674
)
Proceeds from sales of securities investment and other and collections of advances by financial service business
  
 
93,226
 
  
 
345,112
 
  
 
2,595
 
Proceeds from sales of securities investment and other and collections of advances (other than financial service business)
  
 
64,381
 
  
 
25,080
 
  
 
189
 
Payments for purchases of marketable securities
  
 
(17,002
)
  
 
(964
)
  
 
(7
)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
  
 
29,883
 
  
 
8,889
 
  
 
67
 
Decrease in time deposits
  
 
914
 
  
 
1,222
 
  
 
9
 
    


  


  


Net cash used in investing activities
  
 
(719,048
)
  
 
(767,117
)
  
 
(5,768
)
    


  


  


Cash flows from financing activities:
                          
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
  
 
195,118
 
  
 
228,999
 
  
 
1,722
 
Payments of long-term debt
  
 
(143,258
)
  
 
(171,739
)
  
 
(1,291
)
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
  
 
106,245
 
  
 
(78,104
)
  
 
(587
)
Increase in deposits from customers in the banking business
  
 
—  
 
  
 
106,472
 
  
 
801
 
Proceeds from issuance of subsidiary tracking stock
  
 
—  
 
  
 
9,529
 
  
 
72
 
Dividends paid
  
 
(22,774
)
  
 
(22,951
)
  
 
(173
)
Other
  
 
(889
)
  
 
12,834
 
  
 
95
 
    


  


  


Net cash provided by financing activities
  
 
134,442
 
  
 
85,040
 
  
 
639
 
    


  


  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
  
 
21,020
 
  
 
21,036
 
  
 
158
 
    


  


  


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  
 
(18,819
)
  
 
76,555
 
  
 
575
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
  
 
626,064
 
  
 
607,245
 
  
 
4,566
 
    


  


  


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  
¥
93,629
 
  
¥
683,800
 
  
$
5,141
 
    


  


  


Supplemental data:
                          
Cash paid during the year for—
                          
Income taxes
  
¥
93,629
 
  
¥
148,154
 
  
$
1,114
 
    


  


  


Interest
  
¥
47,806
 
  
¥
35,371
 
  
$
266
 
    


  


  


Non-cash investing and financing activities—  
                          
Conversions of convertible debt into common stock and additional paid-in capital
  
¥
40,294
 
  
¥
323
 
  
$
2
 
    


  


  


17


 
(Notes)
 
1.
 
U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from yen, for convenience only, at the rate of ¥133=U.S.$1, the approximate Tokyo foreign exchange market rate as of March 29, 2002.
2.
 
As of March 31, 2002, Sony had 1,068 consolidated subsidiaries. It has applied the equity accounting method in respect to its 98 affiliated companies.
3.
 
On June 20, 2001, Sony Corporation issued shares of Subsidiary tracking stock in Japan, the economic value of which is intended to be linked to the economic value of Sony Communication Network Corporation (“SCN”), a directly and indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation which is engaged in Internet-related services. Sony calculates and presents per share data separately for Sony’s Common stock and for Subsidiary tracking stock, based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No.128, “Earnings per Share.” Holders of tracking stock have the right to participate in earnings, together with common stock holders. Accordingly, Sony calculates per share data by the “two-class” method based on FAS No.128. Under this method, basic net income per share for each class of stock is calculated based on the earnings allocated to each class of stock for the applicable period, divided by the weighted-average number of outstanding shares in each class during the applicable period. The earnings allocated to Subsidiary tracking stock are determined by the portion of SCN’s earnings available for dividends from the date of issuance attributable to Subsidiary tracking stockholders. The earnings allocated to Common stock are calculated by subtracting the earnings allocated to Subsidiary tracking stock from Sony’s net income for the period.
 
Weighted-average shares used for computation of earnings per share of Common stock are as follows. The dilutive effect mainly resulted from convertible bonds. In accordance with FAS No.128 the computation of diluted net income per share for the year ended March 31, 2001 and 2002 uses the same weighted-average shares used for the computation of diluted income before cumulative effect of accounting changes per share, and reflects the effect of assumed conversion of convertible bonds in diluted net income. No additional shares were included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2002 because to do so would have been antidilutive.
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

  
2002

    
(Thousands of shares)
Weighted-average shares
         
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes and net income
         
—Basic
  
913,932
  
918,462
—Diluted
  
994,234
  
921,234
 
    
Three months ended
March 31

    
2001

  
2002

Weighted-average shares
         
Net income (loss)
         
—Basic
  
916,534
  
918,498
—Diluted
  
994,049
  
918,498
 
Weighted-average shares used for computation of earnings per share of Subsidiary tracking stock for the year and three months ended March 31, 2002 are 3,072 thousand shares. There were no potentially dilutive securities outstanding at March 31, 2002.
 
4.
 
Sony’s comprehensive income comprises net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes changes in unrealized gains or losses on securities, unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments, minimum pension liability adjustment and foreign currency translation adjustments. The net income, other comprehensive income and comprehensive income for the year and the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2002 were as follows;
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
Three months ended March 31

 
    
2001

    
2002

    
2002

    
2001

    
2002

    
2002

 
                         
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Net income (loss)
  
¥  16,754
 
  
¥  15,310
 
  
$
115
 
  
¥  15,762
 
  
¥  (5,458
)
  
$
(41
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  
96,749
 
  
52,974
 
  
 
398
 
  
42,915
 
  
(1,805
)
  
 
(14
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities
  
(17,399
)
  
(21,519
)
  
 
(162
)
  
235
 
  
14,394
 
  
 
108
 
Unrealized losses on derivative instruments
  
—  
 
  
(711
)
  
 
(5
)
  
—  
 
  
(3,532
)
  
 
(27
)
Minimum pension liabilities adjustment
  
(46,134
)
  
(22,228
)
  
 
(167
)
  
(46,134
)
  
(22,228
)
  
 
(167
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  
160,282
 
  
97,432
 
  
 
732
 
  
88,814
 
  
9,561
 
  
 
72
 
    

  

  


  

  

  


Comprehensive income (loss)
  
¥113,503
 
  
¥  68,284
 
  
$
513
 
  
¥  58,677
 
  
¥  (7,263
)
  
$
(55
)
    

  

  


  

  

  


18


 
5.
 
In the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2001, Sony adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No.101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, effective as of April 1, 2000. As a result, in the first quarter ended June 30, 2000, a one-time non-cash cumulative effect adjustment of ¥2,821 million was recorded in the income statement directly above the caption of “net income” for a change in accounting principle, which resulted in a decrease of net income in the year ended March 31, 2001 by the same amount.
6.
 
In the first quarter ended June 30, 2000, Sony adopted Statement of Position 00-2, “Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films” issued by the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. As a result, in the first quarter ended June 30, 2000, a ¥101,653 million loss derived from a one-time non-cash cumulative effect adjustment was recorded in the income statement directly above the caption of “Net income” for a change in accounting principle.
7.
 
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
 
Derivative instruments and hedging activities
 
On April 1, 2001, Sony adopted FAS No.133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” as amended by FAS No.138 “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities—an Amendment of FASB statement No.133.” FAS No.133, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. Specifically, FAS No.133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either stockholders’ equity or net income depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity.
 
As a result of the adoption of the new standard, Sony’s Operating income, Income before income taxes and Net income for the year ended March 31, 2002 decreased by ¥3,007 million ($23 million), ¥3,441 million ($26 million) and ¥2,167 million ($16 million), respectively.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2002, Sony’s operating loss decreased by ¥609 million ($5 million), Loss before income taxes increased by ¥134 million ($1 million) and Net loss decreased by ¥277 million ($2 million). Additionally, on April 1, 2001, Sony recorded a one-time non-cash after-tax unrealized gain of ¥1,089 million ($8 million) in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheet, as well as an after-tax gain of ¥5,978 million ($45 million) in the cumulative effect of accounting changes in the consolidated statement of income.
 
Accounting for Business Combinations and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” and FAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. FAS No.141 supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 16 “Business Combinations” and FAS No. 38 “Accounting for Preacquisition Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises”. Under FAS No. 141, all business combinations are required to be accounted for under a single method, the purchase method. This new statement prohibits the use of the pooling-of-interests method, which was previously permitted under APB No. 16, for business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. FAS No. 142 supersedes APB No. 17 “Intangible Assets”. This new statement addresses the accounting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. FAS No. 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, but allows for early adoption for those companies with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001. As FAS 142 is now considered the preferable basis of accounting for goodwill and intangible assets, Sony decided to early adopt this new accounting standard retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year.

19


 
Under FAS No. 142, goodwill and certain other intangible assets that are determined to have an indefinite life will no longer be amortized, but rather will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount. Upon the adoption of this new Statement, Sony reassessed the useful lives of its intangible assets and determined that certain intangible assets including trademarks have indefinite lives and as a result, will no longer be amortized. At April 1, 2001, intangible assets having an indefinite life totaled ¥76,029 million ($572 million). In the first quarter ended June 30, 2001, Sony completed the transitional impairment test for these intangible assets and determined that the fair value of these assets is in excess of the current carrying amount. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recorded for intangible assets upon the adoption of FAS 142. During the second quarter ended September 30, 2001, Sony has also completed the transitional impairment test for existing goodwill as required by FAS No. 142. Sony has determined that the fair value of each reporting unit which includes goodwill is in excess of the carrying amount. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recorded for goodwill upon the adoption of FAS 142.
 
As a result of the adoption of FAS No. 142, Sony’s Operating income and Income before income taxes for the year ended March 31, 2002 increased by ¥20,114 million ($151 million) and Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes as well as Net income increased by ¥18,932 million ($142 million). Sony’s operating loss and Loss before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2002 decreased by ¥5,225 million ($39 million) and Loss before cumulative effect of accounting changes as well as Net loss decreased by ¥4,939million ($37 million).
 
Amounts previously reported for Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes, Net income and basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the year and three months ended March 31, 2001 are reconciled to amounts adjusted to exclude the amortization expense related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as follows:
 
    
Year ended March 31, 2001

    
Three months ended March 31, 2001

    
(Millions of yen, except per share amounts)
Reported Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
¥
121,227
        
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
14,968
        
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2,348
        
    

        
Adjusted Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
  
¥
138,543
        
    

        
Reported Net income
  
¥
16,754
    
¥
15,762
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
14,968
    
 
4,372
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2,348
    
 
587
    

    

Adjusted Net income
  
¥
34,070
    
¥
20,721
    

    

Per share data:
               
Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
               
Reported Basic EPS
  
¥
132.64
        
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
16.38
        
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2.57
        
    

        
Adjusted Basic EPS
  
¥
151.59
        
    

        
Reported Diluted EPS
  
¥
124.36
        
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
15.05
        
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2.36
        
    

        
Adjusted Diluted EPS
  
¥
141.77
        
    

        
Net income
               
Reported Basic EPS
  
¥
18.33
    
¥
17.20
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
16.38
    
 
4.77
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2.57
    
 
0.64
    

    

Adjusted Basic EPS
  
¥
37.28
    
¥
22.61
    

    

Reported Diluted EPS
  
¥
19.28
    
¥
16.46
Add back:
               
Goodwill amortization
  
 
15.05
    
 
4.40
Intangible asset amortization
  
 
2.36
    
 
0.59
    

    

Adjusted Diluted EPS
  
¥
36.69
    
¥
21.45
    

    

 
Accounting for “consideration” to a reseller
 
In the fourth quarter ended March 31,2002, Sony adopted Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No.00-25, “Vendor Income Statement Characterization of Consideration Paid to a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products “ issued by Emerging Issues Task Force of Financial Accounting Standards Board, effective as of April 1,2001. As a result, certain “considerations” which were previously recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses are now recorded as reduction of net sales. The adoption of EITE Issue No.00-25 did not have a material effect on Sony’s consolidated financial statements.

20


 
Other Consolidated Financial Data
 
    
Year ended March 31

    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

    
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
Capital expenditures (additions to fixed assets)
  
¥  465,209
 
  
¥ 326,734
 
  
-29.8
%
  
$
2,457
Depreciation and amortization expenses*
  
348,268
 
  
354,135
 
  
+1.7
 
  
 
2,663
(Depreciation expenses for tangible assets)
  
(270,252
)
  
(297,581
)
  
(+10.1
)
  
 
2,237
R&D expenses
  
416,708
 
  
433,214
 
  
+4.0
 
  
 
3,257
    
 
Three months ended March 31

    
2001

    
2002

    
Change

    
2002

Capital expenditures (additions to fixed assets)
  
¥  204,970
 
  
¥  72,140
 
  
-64.8
%
  
$
542
Depreciation and amortization expenses*
  
98,200
 
  
91,956
 
  
-6.4
 
  
 
691
(Depreciation expenses for tangible assets)
  
(78,207
)
  
(81,935
)
  
+4.8
 
  
 
616
R&D expenses
  
118,260
 
  
107,931
 
  
-8.7
 
  
 
812
                             
* Including amortization expenses for intangible assets and for deferred insurance acquisition costs
 
Condensed Financial Services Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
 
The following schedule shows unaudited condensed balance sheets for the Financial Services and for Sony without Financial Services. While this presentation is not required under U.S. GAAP used in Sony’s consolidated financial statements, because the Financial Services is different in nature from Sony’s Electronics, Game, Music, and Pictures segment, Sony believes that this type of comparative presentation helps the understanding and analysis of Sony’s consolidated balance sheet.
 
    
Financial Services

  
Sony without Financial Services

    
March 31

  
March 31

    
2001

  
2002

  
2002

  
2001

  
2002

  
2002

                   
(Millions of yen, millions of U.S. dollars)
ASSETS
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents
  
¥
307,245
  
¥
327,262
  
$
2,460
  
¥
300,000
  
¥
356,538
  
$
2,681
Marketable securities
  
 
77,905
  
 
157,363
  
 
1,183
  
 
12,189
  
 
4,784
  
 
36
Other current assets
  
 
146,967
  
 
142,051
  
 
1,069
  
 
2,716,845
  
 
2,412,799
  
 
18,141
Investments and advances
  
 
1,104,739
  
 
1,388,556
  
 
10,440
  
 
405,312
  
 
420,226
  
 
3,160
Investments in Financial Services
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
160,189
  
 
170,189
  
 
1,280
Deferred insurance acquisition costs
  
 
270,022
  
 
308,204
  
 
2,317
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
Other long-lived assets
  
 
167,356
  
 
172,616
  
 
1,298
  
 
2,567,381
  
 
2,702,352
  
 
20,318
    

  

  

  

  

  

    
¥
2,074,234
  
¥
2,496,052
  
$
18,767
  
¥
6,161,916
  
¥
6,066,888
  
$
45,616
    

  

  

  

  

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                         
Deposits from customers in the banking business
  
¥
—  
  
¥
106,472
  
$
801
  
¥
—  
  
¥
—  
  
 $
—  
Future insurance policy benefits and other
  
 
1,366,013
  
 
1,680,418
  
 
12,635
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
Other liabilities and minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries
  
 
404,019
  
 
390,976
  
 
2,939
  
 
3,987,328
  
 
3,834,544
  
 
28,831
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total liabilities and Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries
  
 
1,770,032
  
 
2,177,866
  
 
16,375
  
 
3,987,328
  
 
3,834,544
  
 
28,831
Stockholders’ equity
  
 
304,202
  
 
318,186
  
 
2,392
  
 
2,174,588
  
 
2,232,344
  
 
16,785
    

  

  

  

  

  

    
¥
2,074,234
  
¥
2,496,052
  
$
18,767
  
¥
6,161,916
  
¥
6,066,888
  
$
45,616
    

  

  

  

  

  

21


 
SONY
 
Sony Corporation         
6-7-35 Kitashinagawa, 
Shinagawa-ku               
Tokyo, 141-0001 Japan
News & Information
 
No. 02-011E
            April 25, 2002
 
Sony Corporation will integrate its stock option plans
utilizing several different types of equity-related securities
into those utilizing stock acquisition rights following
the recent amendments to the Commercial Code of Japan
 
Sony Corporation (the “Corporation”) resolved at a meeting of its Board of Directors today to propose an agenda asking for authorization to issue stock acquisition rights, for the purpose of granting stock options, pursuant to Articles 280-20 and 280-21 of the Commercial Code of Japan. The proposal will be made at its 85th ordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2002.
 
The stock acquisition rights will replace such several different types of equity-related securities as described below which were granted for the purpose of providing stock incentives to management and key employees of Sony group companies. The Corporation has issued Bonds with Warrants every year since 1995 for directors, corporate executive officers, group executive officers and key employees, and in 2001 issued Bonds with Warrants for Shares of Subsidiary Tracking Stock Linked to Sony Communication Network Corporation (“SCN”) for directors and corporate executive officers of SCN. In addition, the Corporation has issued U.S. Dollar Denominated Convertible Bonds every year since 2000 for officers and key employees of its US group companies, and also introduced various equity-related incentive plans for its overseas group companies.
 
Following the recent amendments to the Commercial Code effective this April, the Corporation will integrate the foregoing different types of equity related securities issued for the purpose of giving stock incentives into one unified stock option rights, namely, stock acquisition rights.
 
Note: The implementation of the stock option plans mentioned above is subject to the approval by shareholders of the issues of common stock acquisition rights and tracking stock acquisition rights to be obtained at the Corporation’s 85th ordinary general meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 20, 2002.

1


 
The summary terms of the issues of common stock acquisition rights and tracking stock acquisition rights are as follows:
 
I       Stock Acquisition Rights for Common Stock
 
1.
 
Reason for Issue of Common Stock Acquisition Rights to Persons Other Than Shareholders without Any Consideration
 
The Corporation will issue rights (the “Common Stock Acquisition Rights”) to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock of the Corporation (“Common Stock”) to directors and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries without any consideration therefor pursuant to the provisions of Articles 280-20 and 280-21 of the Commercial Code of Japan upon the terms outlined below for the purposes of giving directors and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries an incentive to contribute towards the improvement of the business performance of the Corporation and its group companies (the “Group”) and thereby improving such business performance of the Group, by making the economic interest which such directors or employees will receive correspond to the business performance of the Corporation.
 
2.
 
Terms of Issue of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
(1)
 
Persons to Whom Common Stock Acquisition Rights Will be Allocated Directors and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
 
(2)
 
Class and Number of Shares to be Issued or Transferred upon Exercise of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
Not exceeding 2,750,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
Provided, however, that if the number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Common Stock Acquisition Right is adjusted in accordance with (3) below, such number of shares to be issued or transferred shall be adjusted to the number obtained by multiplying the number of shares after adjustment by the total number of Common Stock Acquisition Rights to be issued.
 
(3)
 
Total Number of Common Stock Acquisition Rights to be Issued
 
Not exceeding 27,500.
 
The number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Common Stock Acquisition Right shall be 100.

2


 
  
 
Provided, however, that if the Corporation splits or consolidates its Common Stock, the number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Common Stock Acquisition Right shall be adjusted according to the following formula.
 
Number of shares after adjustment
 
=
 
Number of shares before adjustment
  
x
  
Ratio of split or consolidation
 
  
 
The adjustment above shall be made only to those remain unexercised at the relevant time. If any fraction less than one (1) share arises as a result of such adjustment, such fraction shall be discarded.
 
(4)
 
Issue Price of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
   
No consideration shall be paid.
 
(5)
 
Amount to be Paid In for Exercise of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
  
 
The amount to be paid in per share to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Common Stock Acquisition Right (the “Exercise Price”) shall be as follows.
 
  
 
1.  Common Stock Acquisition Rights with Exercise Price Denominated in Yen
 
  
 
The Exercise Price shall be the average of closing prices of Common Stock in the regular trading thereof on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for ten (10) consecutive trading days (excluding days on which there is no such closing price) prior to the issue of such Common Stock Acquisition Rights, and any fraction less than one (1) yen arising as a result of such calculation shall be rounded up to the nearest one (1) yen; provided, however, that if such calculated price is lower than such closing price on the day of issue of such Common Stock Acquisition Rights (if there is no such closing price on such date, the closing price on the immediately preceding trading day), the Exercise Price shall be the closing price on the day of issue of such Common Stock Acquisition Rights (or the closing price on the immediately preceding trading day).
 
  
 
2.  Common Stock Acquisition Rights with Exercise Price Denominated in U.S. Dollars
 
  
 
The Exercise Price shall be the U.S. dollar amount obtained by dividing the average of closing prices of Common Stock in the regular trading thereof on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for ten (10) consecutive trading days (excluding days on which there is no such closing price) prior to the issue of such Common Stock Acquisition Rights by the average of the exchange rate quotations by a leading commercial bank in Tokyo for selling spot U.S. dollars by telegraphic transfer against yen for such ten (10) consecutive trading days, and any fraction less than one (1) cent arising as a result of such calculation shall be rounded up to the nearest one (1) cent.

3


 
3.  Adjustment of Exercise Price
 
If the Corporation splits or consolidates its Common Stock after the day of issue of Common Stock Acquisition Rights, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted according to the following formula, and any fraction less than one (1) yen or one (1) cent resulting from this adjustment shall be rounded up to the nearest one (1) yen or one (1) cent.
 
Exercise Price after adjustment
 
=
 
Exercise Price before adjustment
 
x
 
                          1                           
Ratio of split or consolidation
 
In addition, in the case of a merger with any other company, corporate split or capital reduction of the Corporation, or in any other case similar thereto where an adjustment of Exercise Price shall be required, in each case after the day of issue of Common Stock Acquisition Rights, the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to the extent reasonable.
 
(6)
 
Exercise Period of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
The exercise period will be sometime within the period from the day of issue of Common Stock Acquisition Rights to the day on which ten (10) years have passed from such day of issue, which will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
(7)
 
Conditions for Exercise of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
1.  Each Common Stock Acquisition Right shall not be exercised in part.
 
2.  Other conditions for exercise shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
(8)
 
Cancellation of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
The Corporation may at any time purchase or acquire Common Stock Acquisition Rights and cancel them without any consideration.
 
(9)
 
Restriction on Transfer of Common Stock Acquisition Rights
 
Transfer of Common Stock Acquisition Rights shall require an approval of the Board of Directors.

4


 
II    Stock Acquisition Rights for Tracking Stock
 
1.
 
Reason for Issue of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights to Persons Other Than Shareholders without Any Consideration
 
The Corporation will issue rights (the “Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights”) to subscribe for or purchase shares of subsidiary tracking stock of the Corporation (“Tracking Stock”) to directors and employees of Sony Communication Network Corporation (“SCN”) without any consideration therefor pursuant to the provisions of Articles 280-20 and 280-21 of the Commercial Code of Japan upon the terms outlined below for the purposes of giving directors and employees of SCN an incentive to contribute towards the improvement of the business performance of SCN and thereby improving such business performance of SCN, by making the economic interest which such directors or employees will receive correspond to the business performance of SCN.
 
2.
 
Terms of Issue of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
(1)
 
Persons to Whom Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights Will be Allocated
 
Directors and employees of SCN.
 
(2)
 
Class and Number of Shares to be Issued or Transferred upon Exercise of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
 
1.  Class
 
of Shares to be Issued or Transferred
 
Provided, on and after the Compulsory Conversion Date (as defined in Article 10-9 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the “Compulsory Conversion Date”) for the compulsory conversion (as defined in Article 10-9 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the “Compulsory Conversion”) of Tracking Stock into Common Stock, the class of shares to issued or transferred shall be Common Stock.

5


  2.  Number of Shares to be Issued or Transferred
 
  
 
Not exceeding 45,000 shares.
 
  
 
Provided, however, that if the number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Tracking Stock Acquisition Right is adjusted in accordance with (3) below, such number of shares to be issued or transferred shall be adjusted to the number obtained by multiplying the number of shares after adjustment by the total number of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights to be issued.
 
(3)
 
Total Number of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights to be Issued
 
  
 
Not exceeding 455.
 
  
 
The number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Tracking Stock Acquisition Right shall be 100.
 
  
 
Provided, however, that if adjustment of the Exercise Price provided for in 2 of (5) below is made for any reason, the number of shares to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Tracking Stock Acquisition Right shall be appropriately adjusted so that the amount obtained by multiplying the number of shares after adjustment by the Exercise Price after adjustment shall be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the number of shares before adjustment by the Exercise Price before adjustment.
 
  
 
The adjustment above shall be made only to those remain unexercised at the relevant time. If any fraction less than one (1) share arises as a result of such adjustment, such fraction shall be discarded.
 
(4)
 
Issue Price of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
  
 
No consideration shall be paid.
 
(5)
 
Amount to be Paid In for Exercise of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
  
 
1.  The amount to be paid in per share to be issued or transferred upon exercise of each Tracking Stock Acquisition Right (the “Exercise Price”) shall be the average of closing prices of Tracking Stock in the regular trading thereof on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for ten (10) consecutive trading days (excluding days on which there is no such closing price) prior to the issue of such Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights, and any fraction less than one (1) yen arising as a result of such calculation shall be rounded up to the nearest one (1) yen; provided, however, that if such calculated price is lower than such closing price on the day of issue of such Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights (if there is no such closing price on such date, the closing price on the immediately preceding trading day), the Exercise Price shall be the closing price on the day of issue of such Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights (or the closing price on the immediately preceding trading day).

6


 
2. Adjustment of Exercise Price
 
(i) Adjustment due to events which become effective prior to the Compulsory Conversion Date
 
If the Corporation splits or consolidates its Tracking Stock after the day of issue of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights but prior to the Compulsory Conversion Date (excluding such date), the Exercise Price shall be adjusted according to the following formula, and any fraction less than one (1) yen resulting from this adjustment shall be rounded up to the nearest one (1) yen.
 
Exercise Price after adjustment
 
=
 
Exercise Price before adjustment
 
x
 
                        1                           
Ratio of split or consolidation
 
(ii) Adjustment due to events which become effective after the Compulsory Conversion Date
 
When the Compulsory Conversion is made, the Excise Price shall be appropriately adjusted in proportion to the conversion ratio. In addition to the foregoing, any adjustment of the Exercise Price after Compulsory Conversion Date shall be made in the same manner as described in (i) above with any necessary amendment.
 
(iii) In addition, in the case of a merger with any other company, corporate split or capital reduction of the Corporation, or in any other case similar thereto where an adjustment of Exercise Price shall be required, in each case after the day of issue of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights, the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to the extent reasonable.
 
(6)  Exercise Period of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
The exercise period will be sometime within the period from the day of issue of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights to the day on which ten (10) years have passed from such day of issue, which will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
Provided, however, that when the Compulsory Retirement of Tracking Stock referred to in Articles 10-7 and 10-8 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation is made, no Tracking Stock Acquisition Right may be exercised after the Termination Date for such Compulsory Retirement.

7


 
(7)
 
Conditions for Exercise of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
1.  Each Tracking Stock Acquisition Right shall not be exercised in part.
 
2.  Other conditions for exercise shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
 
(8)
 
Cancellation of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
The Corporation may at any time purchase or acquire Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights and cancel them without any consideration.
 
(9)
 
Restriction on Transfer of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights
 
Transfer of Tracking Stock Acquisition Rights shall require an approval of the Board of Directors.
 

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Sony Corporation
(03) 5448-2200 (Direct line)

8


 
SONY
 
Sony Corporation         
6-7-35 Kitashinagawa, 
Shinagawa-ku               
Tokyo, 141-0001 Japan
News & Information
No. 02-012E
April 25, 2002
 
Authorization by shareholder resolution
for purchases of its own shares
 
— Purchases of its own shares pursuant to Article 210 of the Commercial Code —
 
Sony Corporation resolved at a meeting of its Board of Directors today to obtain an authorization by shareholder resolution to be adopted at the 85th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on June 20, 2002 for purchases of its own shares pursuant to Article 210 of the Commercial Code.
 
1.  Rationale for obtaining authorization by shareholder resolution
 
In order to continue to maintain the flexibility of purchase of its own shares to the extent of number of shares and total purchase price as granted prior to the amendments to the Commercial Code which had been achieved by the authorization under the Articles of Incorporation, Sony Corporation will obtain an authorization by shareholder resolution for purchases of its own shares on the same scale as before in lieu of the authorization under the Articles of Incorporation which had been eliminated due to such amendments to the Commercial Code.
 
2.  Details of authorization
 
(1)  Type of shares
  
Shares of common stock and shares of Subsidiary Tracking Stock linked to Sony Communication Network Corporation (“Tracking stock”)
(2)  Number of shares
  
Common stock: Up to 90,000,000 shares
Tracking stock: Up to 300,000 shares
(3)  Total purchase price
  
Common stock: Up to 650 billion yen
Tracking stock: Up to 1 billion yen
 

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Sony Corporation
(03) 5448-2200 (Direct line)

1