Sony Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
May 14, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Sony’s entertainment segment now accounts for 61% of consolidated sales, reflecting a strategic shift towards content and IP expansion across games, music, film and anime.
  • PlayStation 5 momentum is expected to continue with rising monthly active users and ARPU, supported by new first-party titles like Ghost of Yotei and ongoing success of live-service games.
  • Sony expects up to a ¥100 billion impact on FY25 operating income from additional U.S. tariffs, but plans to mitigate this through inventory stockpiling, global shipment reallocation and targeted price adjustments.
  • FY24 consolidated sales reached a record ¥12.957 trillion (including Financial Services) with operating income of ¥1.407 trillion, while FY25 continuing-operations guidance forecasts ¥11.7 trillion in sales and flat operating income near ¥1.28 trillion.
  • Under its 5th mid-range plan, Sony has increased shareholder returns with a ¥250 billion buyback program and a ¥5 per-share dividend hike, backed by a revised three-year operating cash flow outlook of ¥4.8 trillion.
AI Generated. May Contain Errors.
Earnings Conference Call
Sony Q4 2025
00:00 / 00:00

Transcript Sections

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Moderator

Thank you very much for coming to attend our desk meeting despite of your busy schedule. Now we'd like to start Sony Group Corporation's Corporate Strategy and Earnings Announcement Presentation twenty twenty five. I'm going to serve FMC. My name is Yitsi from PR department. Thank you very much.

Moderator

First, I'd like to invite President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, Mr. Todoki. He will be talking about the corporate strategy for Sony Group Corporation. Then I will invite Ms. Tao and Mr. Yamada. They will be talking about FY 'twenty four earnings and results and FY 'twenty five results forecast. And then after that, we are going to entertain questions. Are expecting the total of ninety minutes to complete the entire session. Dorok san, please, the floor is yours.

Moderator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming. Today, first, I would like to talk about I'd like to first like to commit to long term look at TALMY Group's business and our overall strategic direction. Over the last several years, our business direction has shifted significantly towards entertainment. The decision to lean more heavily into the space was driven, of course, by the strength and growth of our entertainment businesses. But it also was driven by the power of entertainment to move people and to fill the world with emotion, which is, of course, at the heart of Sunny Group's purpose.

Moderator

In recent years, we have leaned heavily into expanding content in each category such as games, music, film and TV program. IP expansion across our various businesses, strategic investments in content, music catalogs and growth areas such as anime and the development and use of innovative technologies to support creation. All of which has been transformative for the Sunny Group and it has led to very strong results disclosed today. Looking at those results, it is worth noting that our entertainment business accounts for roughly 61% of our consolidated sales. And we have seen the resilience of entertainment businesses during economic downturn like during the COVID nineteen pandemic.

Moderator

Our efforts in entertainment content and creation technologies are working steadily, and our priorities and commitment to growing these categories remain unchanged. Building on our momentum and results to date and working with a laser like focus to realize our long term creative entertainment vision will be at the core of our corporate strategies moving forward. Launched last year, a long term creative entertainment vision illustrates how we want to deliver Kundle through creativity and technology. A vision of a future that will create infinite realities together with creators, partners and employees and through synergies among our various businesses. Let's take a look at the entertainment businesses that will be integral to making our creative entertainment vision a reality.

Moderator

First, the game and network services segment, which is doing extremely well. Expansion of PlayStation five, both in the number of active users and per user spend is expected to continue and drive steady profit. As we look ahead, we will seek to capitalize on our momentum to drive sustainable, profitable growth and invest thoughtfully to create the future of play. We expect to see stable growth in revenue and profits from network businesses due to the growth of monthly active users, corresponding to the further and steady expansion of the installed base. Specifically, we will seek higher revenue and profits from PlayStation Plus and maximize ARPU, average revenue per user of PlayStation Store through the personalization and by pricing optimization.

Moderator

In this fiscal year, we anticipate further growth in Studio businesses through a broader user base driven by new title launches from narrative based single player titles like Ghost of Yotei and live service games such as Marathon as well as continuing success of already launched catalog contents and ongoing live services titles like Helldivers two and Destiny two. We also plan to focus on stronger profitable peripherals such as PlayStation Portal, where our recently introduced beta cloud streaming feature allows users to enjoy their games on the go more easily. In the Music segment, we remain focused on strengthening our position in the global music market while continuing to improve profitability. Maintaining strong relationships with digital streaming platforms, Sunny Music Group has had great success enhancing its core business value proposition, which includes repertoire centers in major markets around the world, robust label and artist services, tailored service to independent artists and DIY distribution and music publishing. In FY 2024, our music business in Japan notably enjoyed great success in bringing Japanese artists such as Yusobi to the global market and plan to continue to build on this area.

Moderator

As we look ahead in this segment, we plan to continue to strengthen these important ecosystems and focus on growing organically and via deliberate acquisitions throughout our business and in high growth markets such as Latin America, India and other Asian countries exploring additional strategic investments in key areas of business as well as music catalogs to expand revenue opportunities and increase asset value discovering and nurturing talent as well as building and strengthening relationships with local independent labels and artists to enhance our presence. Servicing fans who passionately support specific artists and content. And expanding IP through biopics and documentaries involving Sony Music artists as well as live events. And finally, we will continue exploring the use of cutting edge technologies such as AI in ways that create value and also protect the rights of our artists. The film industry overall continues to recover from issues such as the COVID nineteen and strike related shutdowns over the last few years, which impacted the number of film and TV productions.

Moderator

Our film business, like the rest of Hollywood, continues to rebuild from these events and has some new titles on the horizon as was presented at the most recent recent Cinemap con event. In 2026, Sony Pictures Entertainment expects to see the release of the latest Spider Man movie, Spider Man Brand New Day, as well as new film adaptation of the Capcom game Resident Evil and the latest Jumanji film. We expect some IP lineups to continue including the final film in the Spider Verse animated trilogy, Spider Man Beyond the Spider Verse in 2027 and The Biggles, a full film cinematic event directed by Sam Mendes with exclusively hit theaters in 2028. Anime is also expected to be a significant growth driver for the Pictures segment as the anime focused streaming service, Crunchyroll steadily expands its paid subscribers and services. But more broadly, as we look ahead, we see SPE as a central hub for many of the synergistic cross company collaborations that are central to our creative entertainment vision.

Moderator

In recent years, we have seen the value and potential well executed cross business collaborations across the Sony Group companies. Examples include PlayStation productions, adaptation of our outstanding game IP such as Uncharted and The Last of Us to film and television with over 10 titles currently in production. Or the many collaborations among Sony Music artists and our other businesses and among Sony Technologies and many of our creative businesses. As we look ahead, we will lean into broader collaborations in anime. And through our engagement platform initiative, we will aim to create opportunities and synergies by connecting fan communities within and outside Sony across various entertainment sectors and in our location based entertainment efforts.

Moderator

Anime continues to be a major area which leads the growth for the Sony Group across many parts of our business. At the heart of everything is anime's vibrant creator and fan communities, which Crunchyroll will be celebrating later this month at its twenty twenty five Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo on the twenty fifth. Building on our already successful Aniplex and Crunchyroll businesses, we have moved forward with several initiatives over the last several months to expand our reach in anime and strengthen content development, including an upcoming anime series adaptation of Sony Interactive Entertainment's hit IP, Ghost of TSUCHIMA Legends to be produced in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, Aniplex Crunchyroll and Sony Music Entertainment. The establishment of Hayate Inc, a company jointly funded by Aniplex and Crunchyroll to plan and produce high quality anime works for global anime fans, a strategic capital and business alliance formed with Kadokawa Corporation to promote further media mixes and global expansion of both companies' IP and an establishment of a strategic partnership with brand Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. And Web3 startup Gaudi Inc.

Moderator

And as we look ahead, the anime industry's market size is expected to continue growing at a CAGR in the high single digits from 2023 to 02/1930, especially with the anime streaming market, which is Crunchyroll's core business that is expected to grow at a CAGR in the high 10% range by 02/1930. In this market environment, we also plan to further accelerate Crunchyroll's growth by enhancing service offerings and acquiring users. Our strategy is to broaden services offered to anime fans, which include e commerce for anime merchandise, a mobile game library service and manga offerings. To further expand Crunchyroll's user base, which has now grown to over 17,000,000 paid members as of 03/31/2025, we are closely collaborating with PlayStation Network, which has the largest monthly active users in the Sony Group. Specifically, since February, new customers and renewing customers can smoothly register for Crunchyroll's paid services from PS5, which we expect to contribute further increases in paid membership.

Moderator

We will leverage PlayStation Network monetization capabilities to enhance Crunchyroll service. This back end integration is part of the engagement platform initiative introduced last year, which aims to create business opportunities and synergies by connecting diverse fan communities both within and outside Sony across various entertainment sectors. Based on the robust network infrastructure, PlayStation Network, we will utilize core back end functions such as payment, data infrastructure and security across various network services within the Sony Group aiming to build a new platform that connects users and creators by meeting fans' interests and desires. Alongside strengthening fan engagement, we also plan to enhance the development and operation of a common infrastructure that can be utilized across the Sony Group for better monetization. This will allow each company within the Group to focus resources on enhancing competitiveness and differentiation in their respective businesses, aiming for business growth through expanding and deepening customer engagement.

Moderator

Looking further into the future, we are at early stages in exploring the potentials of LBE to maximize the value of the IP across various entertainment sectors. Aspirational cross business collaborative efforts to date that merge IP and technology to create new experiences have all illustrated a growth potential for future. Up to this point, I have discussed growth and strategies within our entertainment businesses. But our innovative technology is also critically important for realizing our creative entertainment vision. In the Entertainment Technology and Services segment, we have shifted the focus of our business towards those that create content.

Moderator

Building on the success of Alpha, we are expanding our imaging ecosystem as a growth driver. This includes broadening offerings of tools and solutions for cinematographers, live streaming and remote workflow for industry leading creators and image authenticity technologies for news agencies. In addition, we also plan continue focus on technologies in growth areas such as sports entertainment. We acquired King Tracks last year to enhance our capabilities to utilize existing sports data like Hawkeye's officiating and play analysis and we plan to continue to expand alternative broadcast through sports data and real time content creation technology that enhance fan engagement and attract new audiences. To support the leap in entertainment, we also plan to continue to revolutionize content creation technology.

Moderator

Key solutions include Spatial Content Creation Support System XYN and real time VFX and three sixty virtual mixing environment, which is now expanding into sound creation for films, games and animation. Furthermore, in the Imaging and Sensing Solutions segment, we expect the image sensor as a key device for capturing the real world to enhance the accuracy of content creation and elevate the reality of entertainment experiences to the next level. For Mobile Image Sensors, which is the pillar of the business, we're expecting the ongoing trend towards larger sensor size to continue for the coming few years. The demand for further evolution in image sensor performance such as resolution, noise reduction, dynamic range and power consumption remains high. We will work to introduce a new generation process in order to accommodate the production of such innovative sensors.

Moderator

Combining this next generation process with sensors such as the two layer transistor pixel stacked Trista, we plan to continue delivering more value added differentiated sensors thereby meeting our customers' expectations. As we aim for further growth of the I and SS business in these ways, a major challenge will be controlling the necessary capital investments at an appropriate level and enhancing investment efficiency. To this end, we plan to explore a range of options. Beyond the Mobile Sensor business, we plan to continue generating stable profit through cameras and sensors for industrial equipment and social infrastructure For businesses with future growth potential such as automotive sensors, we aim for mid to long term growth and optimal development costs and frameworks, while carefully assessing the speed of market growth and business potential. In conclusion, the diversity of our business and our people will be of paramount importance in realizing our creative environment vision.

Moderator

Sony has about 110,000 employees actively working in various companies and organizations around the world, creating an environment of diverse and varied viewpoints, ideas and strategies. The synergies generated by organically connecting diverse businesses and people are the source of Sony's unique competitive advantage. As we look ahead, we will continue to evolve, unleash the creativity of creators and strive for a world of infinite realities, entertainment and excitement. Thank you very much.

Moderator

That was presentation by Hitodaki. And now we'd like to proceed to earnings announcement. Now I'd like to begin the FY 'twenty '4 financial results and FY 'twenty five financial results forecast. Allow me to introduce executives on stage. Sony Group, President and CEO, Hiroki Todoki Executive Officer, CFO, Lin Kao.

Moderator

Senior Vice President, Sattahiko Hayakawa. Sony Financial Group and Corporate Executive Officer, CFO, Kazuhiro Yamada. And first, mister Totoki, please. Now we'd like to proceed to explaining our earnings result and forecast. And from after, Lintel and Kaziro Yamada will be presenting.

Moderator

And Lintel has become CFO of our group from April excluding the Financial Services segment for FY 'twenty four were JPY 12,043,900,000,000.0 and operating income was JPY 1,276,600,000,000.0, both record highs. Operating cash flow was JPY 1,009 and 72,400,000,000.0, primarily due to an improvement compared to the previous fiscal year year on year in the working capital of the GNS and I and FS segments. Consolidated sales, including the Financial Services segments, were JPY 12,957,100,000,000.0. Operating income was JPY 1,407,200,000,000.0, and net income was JPY 1,141,600,000,000.0. The results by segment for FY 'twenty four are shown here.

Moderator

Today, at a meeting of our Board of Directors, we approved the plan for execution of the partial spin off of our Financial Services business. Person to disapproval, the financial results of the Financial Services business during the current fiscal year until the execution of the spin off will be classified as discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements. At the time of execution of the spin off in October, an accounting treatment will be carried out to exclude the Financial Service business from consolidation and the assets and liabilities of the Financial Service business will be separated from the consolidated statements of financial positions. After the execution of the spin off, the profit and loss of the Financial Services business will be recorded as operating income or loss in continuing operations in the accordance with the equity method. In light of this, the results forecast for FY 'twenty '5 will be presented for continuing operations only and results forecast for Sony Financial Group will be disclosed at our earnings announcement before the execution of the spin off and at Sony XG's earnings announcement after the execution of spin off.

Moderator

As we announced in our disclosure regarding the start of preparation for the spin off in February of last year, at the time of the deconsolidation of the Financial Service business, we plan to carry out an accounting treatment in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards to transfer in one lump sum the accumulated other comprehensive income of the Financial Service business, one lump sum the accumulated other comprehensive income of the Financial Service business recorded in the Equity section of the consolidated statements of the Financial Goodition to the profit and loss of the discontinued operation. Accumulated other comprehensive income for the Financial Service business as of the end of the past eight quarters has been trending as shown here. Although it is expected to fluctuate to a certain degree, going forward, an accounting loss is expected to be recorded in the discontinued operation based upon the account recorded at the time of the spin off. This accounting treatment is merely a transfer between line items in the equity section of the consolidated statement of the financial position, does not impair total equity and has no impact on the profit and loss of the continuing operations or our cash flow.

Moderator

Moreover, this transfer is an accounting treatment pertaining to the consolidated Sony that results from the deconsolidation of the Finance Service business and has no impact on to the consolidated financial position of Sony Financial Group. For more details, please refer to the materials regarding the spin off disclosed today. Now I will explain our full year results forecast for the continuing operations for FY 'twenty '5. The full year forecast is sales of JPY 11,700,000,000,000.0, operating income of JPY 1,380,000,000.00 before reflecting the impact of any additional U. S.

Moderator

Tariff. Now I will explain the impact of U. S. Tariff policy. The situation surrounding around additional U.

Moderator

S. Tariff is changing daily and the future is uncertain. But GNS, ETNS and INS segments, which are currently expected to be impacted, are responding quickly to the additional tariffs that have already been implemented and are considering responses to multiple possible future scenarios. Under the tariff rate, we assumed we expect to be able to manage the impact on profitability of our continuing operations this fiscal year to approximately JPY 100,000,000,000 or less than 10% of the operating income forecast we just showed by stockpiling strategic inventory in The U. S, adjusting product shipment allocation on the global basis, raising price on certain products with an eye on market trends and other means.

Moderator

And we plan to continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures, and we expect to provide an update on the impact of our financial results at our first quarter earnings announcement in early August. The FY 'twenty five forecast for operating income of continuing operations incorporating this impact is flat year over year at JPY $1,280,000,000,000, while net income is expected to decrease 13% to JPY $930,000,000,000, primarily because the valuation gains on equity securities and the decrease in tax expenses we recorded in the previous fiscal year will not recur. Our forecast for the operating cash flow is JPY $1,240,000,000,000, primarily due to a normalization of the working capital in G and NS resulting from the significant improvement in the previous fiscal year and expected increase in margin picture production costs. The forecast for each segment is shown here. Now I will move to the I'll move on to provide an overview of each business.

Moderator

First one is G and NS. FY twenty twenty four sales increased 9% year on year to JPY 670,000,004,000, primarily due to an increase in third party software sales and the impact of foreign exchange rates. The operating income increased 43% year on year to JPY 414,800,000,000.0, a new record for the segment due to increase in all categories except for first party software. User engagement in the FY 'twenty four fourth quarter continued its strong momentum with the number of monthly active users across PlayStation in March, increasing 5% compared to the same month of the previous year to 124,000,000 accounts. And third party software and network service revenue increasing year on year.

Moderator

Our full year forecast for FY 'twenty five is sales of JPY 4,300,000,000.0 and operating income of JPY $480,000,000,000. In addition to the stable profit growth for the platform business from the extended user base, we expect major first party titles scheduled to release this fiscal year to contribute to sales and profit. To respond to the recently adopted U. S. Tariffs, we have been making preparations such as diversifying PS5 hardware production sites and stockpiling inventory in The U.

Moderator

S, and we expect to implement additional measures at the appropriate time after assessing any changes in the situation going forward. Next is the Music segment. FY 'twenty four sales increased 14% year on year to JPY 1,842,600,000,000.0 and operating income increased 18% to JPY 357,300,000,000.0, a new record high for this segment. On a U. S.

Moderator

Dollar basis, the growth rate of streaming revenues for FY 'twenty four increased 5% year on year in recorded music and 13% in music publishing. Our full year forecast for FY '20 '20 '5 is sales of JPY $1,850,000,000,000 and operating income of $355,000,000,000, Primarily due to the negative impact of ForEx, we expect operating income for the segment to be essentially flat year on year, but we expect the operating income of Sony Music Group, managing our overseas music business to grow in the high single digits on a U. S. Dollar basis. Next is the Pictures segment.

Moderator

Despite a decrease in sales in television productions, FY 'twenty four sales increased slightly year on year to 1,505,900,000,000.0 yen primarily due to ForEx impact. Operating income was essentially flat year on year at 117,300,000,000.0 yen primarily due to impact of the lower sales as mainly offset by the positive impact of ForEx. Our full year forecast for FY 'twenty five is sales JPY 1,500,000,000.0, operating income JPY 125,000,000,000. We expect operating income to grow approximately 10% year on year on a U. S.

Moderator

Dollar basis, excluding impact of ForEx, primarily driven by Crunchyroll. Next is the ET and S segment. FY 'twenty four sales decreased 2% year on year to JPY 2,409,300,000,000.0, primarily due to a decrease in unit sales of televisions and smartphones. Despite the impact of a sales decrease and additional restructuring charges in FY24 Q4, operating income increased 2% year on year to JPY 190,900,000,000.0, primarily due to operational expense reduction. The interchangeable lens camera market performed well in FY24 Q4 mainly in the Chinese market, which benefited from subsidies and grew approximately 9% year on year on a unit basis.

Moderator

Our full year forecast for FY '20 '20 '5 is sales of JPY 280,000,002,000 and operating income This fiscal year, we plan to operate our business conservatively, prioritizing risk mitigation because we anticipate disruptions to markets and supply chains by recently adopted U. S. Tariffs. Next is I and SS segment.

Moderator

FY 'twenty four sales increased 12% year on year to JPY 1,799,000,000,000.000, primarily due to the impact of ForEx and increased sales of mobile sensors. Despite an increase in manufacturing expenses, operating income increased 35 year on year to JPY 261,100,000,000.0, primarily due to favorable impact of ForEx. The benefit of increase in sales and improved manufacturing yields, both sales and operating income were recognized of the segment. Customer demand remained strong in FY 'twenty four Q4 and design ins for 2025 models are progressing smoothly. Our full year FY 2025 forecast is sales of JPY 1,960,000,000.00 and operating income of JPY $280,000,000,000.

Moderator

In FY 2025, we expect to achieve growth in sales and profit primarily due to an expansion of mobile sensor sizes despite expected appreciation of the yen compared to FY 'twenty four. So far, we have not seen any changes in our customers' order prospects due to additional U. S. Tariff impact.

Moderator

Next is the Financial Services segment. Financial Services revenues for FY 'twenty four decreased JPY 8 and 38,600,000,000.0 year on year to JPY 9 and 31,400,000,000.0, primarily due to a decrease in net gains on investments at Sony Life. Operating income decreased JPY 43,000,000,000 year on year to JPY 130,500,000,000.0, primarily due to the recording of a gain from the transfer of a portion of the shares of Sony Payment Services Inc. In the fiscal year ended 03/31/2024 and a decrease in profit related to minimum guarantees for variable life insurance at Sony Life due to market fluctuations in FY24. Sony Life's new policy amount in FY24 increased 11% year on year continuing its steady growth.

Moderator

Next, I will explain Sony Financial Group's FY 'twenty five forecast. Starting with this announcement, in view of the Financial Services revenue we had before, we are disclosing operating revenue excluding a portion of gains on investments as a sales metric. As for profit metric in lieu of operating income, we are presenting income before income taxes and adjusted net income, which is net income excluding unrealized gains and losses due to market fluctuations, gains and losses on sales of securities and other onetime gains and losses. Of the profit metrics, we have established adjusted net income as the most important key performance indicator because we believe it more appropriately reflects the profitability of our business. For FY 2025, we expect operating revenue to be JPY 1,000,000,000,000 adjusted net income to increase JPY 46,000,000,000 year on year JPY107.5 billion and income before income to decrease JPY70.8 billion year on year to JPY60 billion.

Moderator

During the current fiscal year, in order to strengthen Sony Life's financial position, which we have been working on and to delve deeper and make significant progress reducing risks resulting from policy cancellation, we plan to replace yen denominated long term bonds and reinsure a block of our U. S. Dollar denominated whole life insurance policies, which have a high capital load. As a result, we plan to sell surplus U. S.

Moderator

Dollar denominated bond assets to cover our declining insurance liabilities and income before income taxes is expected to decrease significantly for the next two years, mainly due to the impact of gains and losses on these sales. This series of measures is expected to significantly improve the ratio of duration matching of yen denominated assets and liabilities, which account for the majority of our balance sheet significantly reduced policy cancellation risk associated with U. S. Dollar denominated insurance and increased our level of ESR to a certain degree. Driven by factors such as an increase in the new policy amount, Sony Life's adjusted net income is growing steadily and distributable amount, which leads to shareholder value expected to remain stable.

Moderator

In preparation for the spin off and listing, we will hold the Financial Services Investor Day on May 29. In addition to providing more detail on the measures for improving our financial position that we explained today, we plan to discuss Sony FG's strengths, business plan and the listing structure for the spin off, so please watch it. Finally, I would like to explain the progress of our fifth mid range plan. The key performance indicators for the entire group in this MRP, growth rate of operating income of a continuing operation of 10% or more and a three year cumulative operating income margin of continuing operations of 10% or more. In FY 'twenty four, GNNS and I and S segments were the main drivers of profit growth, leading to overall operating income growth of 23% year on year and an operating income margin of 10.6%, giving us a very good start at the first fiscal year of the MRP.

Moderator

The full year operating income forecast for FY 'twenty five, which incorporates the impact of tariffs as that we presented today shows a two year cumulative average growth rate of 11% and operating income margin of 10.8%. Although the environment remains uncertain, we believe that we are on track to achieve our targets. Regarding capital allocation for the period of the current MRP, we have revised our forecast for cumulative three year operating cash flow, which is our main source of capital from the initial plan of 4,500,000,000,000.0 yen to 4,800,000,000,000.0 yen taking into account the results of the previous fiscal year. We have made strengthening shareholder returns a priority for the MRP, so we intend to use the current increase in allocatable capital for greater shareholder returns. For FY 'twenty five, we have established a $250,000,000,000 yen share buyback facility and aim to increase the pace of our increase in dividends, raising the annual dividend by JPY 5 per share year on year after the stock split to JPY 25 per share.

Moderator

Our strategic investments budget of JPY 1,800,000,000,000.0 and capital expenditures budget of JPY 1,700,000,000,000.0 remain unchanged from the pre original plan. Given that the business environment is uncertain, including the impact of additional U. S. Tariffs and concerns about the global economic slowdown. Going forward, we plan to operate our business this fiscal year under cautious and conservative assumption.

Moderator

If there are significant changes in the business environment going forward, we plan to swiftly and flexibly revise the capital allocation plan we have presented this time. That is all for now. Thank you.

Moderator

So that has been the briefing from Tao san and Yamada san. So at 04:45, we'd like to start a Q and A session for Media. And then maybe around 05:10, we are going to solicit questions from the investors and analysts. We are expecting twenty minutes for each section. For Online Distribution, you some of you who have already registered the questions, please click the link to participate on the webinar.

Moderator

And regarding how to raise questions and some hosting announcements, please refer to the information which we have already sent to you. So please be patient until we resume. Thank you. It's a bit too early, but we'd like to answer to the questions coming from the media. And if you have questions from this room, please raise your hands physically.

Moderator

And in this room, please make sure that you use a microphone. Please give up to two questions maximum. Okay. So if you have any questions, please. Okay.

Moderator

So from this block, please. I am Yoshida from Nikkei Newspaper. I have two questions. The first question is the question to Totoki san. For entertainment, the fusion of the entertainment businesses have been ongoing and also trying to have the live shooting of the game and also the animation is also booming.

Moderator

Well, for each segment, the speed of the collaboration or alliance amongst the different segments within this entertainment, how do you see that progress? And also goes over to Sima, the first party animation, first party game animation. This is maybe one significant milestone. So yes, for the future, how many animations you are going to expect to produce? And also if you have any business target that will be disclosable, please?

Moderator

And next question is to Tao san. JPY one hundred billion is your impact for the additional tariff and semiconductor has not been changed. But those JPY 100,000,000,000, the major segments, what kind of businesses are included in this JPY 100,000,000,000 impact? And also into the future, maybe there are some factors for fluctuations such as ForEx. What kind of valuable factors you are assuming for this impact?

Moderator

Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. To the first question, the synergy of the entertainment businesses. You talk about you asked me about the speed, sense of the speed.

Moderator

Well, think, yes, we have been accelerating the project. Why? This is because, yes, it was a top down direction. So for the entire group direction, we are trying to move with these projects. But now we are making bottom up to produce different projects.

Moderator

So now we are on this phase, which is the most important element. As business management, what we can do is trying to set up the environment. So synergy is only produced from the bottom up approach. So once we start to see multiple project based upon the bottom up approach, that will be the desirable and that will be the source of competitiveness. Well, yes, in terms of the acceleration, I'm sure that we are going to be able to accelerate.

Moderator

And of course, each business has to be strong and each segment has to have good materials or good production projects. So each segment has to be stronger, of course. And regarding the animation, think that this is not just limited to the animation, but right now, over 10 titles, we already made them to the TV programs and also to the movies or films. And through the IPs, we are now producing those art pieces. So the pipeline is going to be bigger and that is really important.

Moderator

Tao san, please. Yes. Regarding the tariff, let me answer to the tariff question. JPY 100,000,000,000 impact have been it's assuming the official tariff rate, which has been announced in hardware. Hardware business is included in this. In terms of our portfolio, GNS, Gain and also AT and S and I and SS, semiconductors. So those three segments, we are actually incorporating on par basis from these three businesses. In terms of the tariff, we are not just simply calculating the simple tariff to come up with JPY 100,000,000,000, but thinking about the currently available information and also looking at the market trend, we may pass to the price and also shipment allocation.

Moderator

So we are taking a different measures in managing to come up to the JPY 100,000,000,000 impact. That's what we are thinking. Thank you very much. Maybe to add, well, the May 12 U. S.

Moderator

Has additional tariff reduction for China. Maybe this JPY 100,000,000,000 is not reflecting that tariff reduction between China and U. S. Next question please. Those are questions.

Moderator

Please raise your hand. The person in gray, the gray shirt over here please. Yamamoto, a freelance writer. I have two questions to Mr. Todoki.

Moderator

The first is about LBE, Location Based Entertainment and the outlook. I at the CS, the I have been today and enjoy the immersive entertainment. But the LBE, think they are temporary mostly in the past. But how will this evolve in the future? What is aiming what is Sony aiming to achieve?

Moderator

For example, entertainment technology and I think this will be a showcase to a contact point with the consumer. And I think it's very important that you promote LBE. So I'm wondering whether you have more permanent LBE instead of one time or temporary. So what is your outlook? If any, please share that with us.

Moderator

And the second, if I may, the second question is about creation of new businesses at Sony. There's Sony acceleration platform, which is being promoted for to create new businesses. And what is the outlook of the outputs outcome? And what is your expectation going forward, please? First, about LBE.

Moderator

Well, to be honest, we are still searching for different possibilities, but we are doing a lot of attempts, not just in Japan, but also overseas. Well, we take certain risks in some cases or it could be that as a licensor, we do using the license, the LBE simulator types of experiments. So that is what we're doing right now. However, as for myself, as you say rightly, in order to expand our IP, this LBE will be a very effective tool and it goes beyond generations. I think we can come up with things that people of all generations would love because this going to these events with with family is something that we should be pursuing.

Moderator

But we cannot leapfrog. And for example, think of something like a theme park, investing and creating a theme park on our own. We're not thinking of any such thing. In order to reach that level, we have to think of which pathway to take. And we have to think about the optimum pathway.

Moderator

We also are trying to verify this. And together with partners, different partners, we have to work on this. So we are searching for such collaboration right now. And in regards to creating new businesses, well, a recent outcome in 2024 from April, Sony thermal technology, there is this device to cool down your body. And well, it's very hot in the summer these days.

Moderator

So this device itself is increasing in sales year on year. So as the business is already been established. And well, this week, I received a report that they are growing their sales. So I'm looking forward to the future. SAP, well, rather than doing incubation on its own, they're trying to offer to companies aiming to become a grower and to do incubation provide the hardware or tools to do the incubation. So through such initiatives, both inside and outside Hosoni, we want to create new businesses. If we can do that, that will make us very happy. Thank you.

Moderator

Any other questions? In the central central block, the second from the right, the person in the very front row. Kuraninsaki from Sankake Shimbun. I want to ask about strategy to mister Totoki. So based on Trump tariffs, automobile manufacturers and electronics electricity manufacturers are shifting to manufacturing producing in The US.

Moderator

Well, the business model, I think it's going to change going forward. Sony, I think has already started to started doing this in entertainment segment. Are you thinking of producing in The U. S, for example, locally? Now even though you don't become a platformer, you may have a good IP.

Moderator

So maybe that might be very beneficial and advantageous to you. Thank you for the question. Yes, producing manufacturing locally. In the entertainment, rather than saying for entertainment segment, I want to look at it from the hardware segment and the software segment. And in entertainment gaming like consoles, these hardwares of course can be produced locally.

Moderator

I think that would be an efficient strategy. But PS5 is being manufactured in many areas, whether it's going to be manufactured in The U. S. Or not, it needs to be considered going forward. We're not in such a critical situation.

Moderator

In the entertainment segment, especially contents creation, recently in the movies. Well, Mr. Trump is saying that he's going to have a % tariff on films which are not produced, made in The United States that was announced. But that is still pending apparently. So these are some of the movements that we need to consider.

Moderator

Regarding entertainment, if you take films, pictures for example, of course locations are being made in various areas and it is all put together as a story. And there are pictures that are filmed outside of The US because the Hollywood cost has gone up, skyrocketed. So it's not so much a US problem, but rather it's an issue that is specific to the state of California. So as for content, we don't know how it will evolve. So we are paying attention, close attention to the trends.

Moderator

Now whether we're going to become a platformer or not, As I explained today, Crunchyroll itself is a platform. And SIE, PlayStation is a giant platformer for games. So we are general contents. We don't do general contents production, but we do have several platforms. So how can we strengthen that and expand that?

Moderator

I think that will be an important topic going forward.

Moderator

Next question, please. Okay. So the central block, the person on the right hand side, please. Thank you. Tuchiya from Asaki newspaper.

Moderator

I have two questions to Totoki san. The first question is a bit of the ambiguous, a broad question regarding the Trump tariff and also ForEx is getting yen appreciation. So the do you feel any deceleration of the growth right now? That's the first question. And the second question is, yes, you talked about the spin off of the Financial Services business.

Moderator

So not just linked to the Financial Services, but let's say, the Semiconductors and other segments, do you plan to kind of a spin off of the other segments? Do you have the idea that other segments will be spun off? Those are the two questions. Thank you very much for the question. To the first question regarding the sense of growth or economic situation.

Moderator

Yes, we have been watching how things are evolving. But if do we have any major change right now? Well, as far as our business is concerned, we are not really seeing a big change. However, maybe, yes, there is usually a little bit of time lag when we start to see some deceleration. So that's what we have to be watching for.

Moderator

And maybe the employment is going to be the first indicator, especially in The U. S, the employment situation is something which we are watching for. That's our first answer. And to your second things about the business portfolio. Well, spin off is tending to attract a lot of attention, but this is just one of the methodologies.

Moderator

And what we want to do is most important, more important. Well, yes, the business portfolio is always dynamic, not the static, but it's always dynamic. What we have to think about is as entire Sony and also its business segments, how each segment is able to grow to the maximum level. That's something which we have to think about. In the Financial Services business, the solution, we decided to spin off that business.

Moderator

Other business segments, do we have any plans? We do not have the plans to spin off the other segments. But as necessary, we have to think about the different options. Maybe one of the options on the table. So that's what I can say.

Moderator

But as of now, for the short term, are we going to think about any spin off? No, that's the question. Thank you. And time is limited. So the next will be the last question.

Moderator

The person in the center, the front row, this person is from second from the left, my left. Toyo Kezai Umegaki is my name. I have two questions. Think it will be mainly Takatsu san, but the anime business, Aniplex and Crunchyroll, they are crossing over two segments. And how much contribution are they making to your profitability?

Moderator

It's hard to see as an outsider. You spend a lot of time explaining about this today as well. So what is the size of the profit? How much growth you're expecting? Can you quantify to the best means possible?

Moderator

And well, it might be that it'd be better to make it into one business segment because the person like me who's looking into the business performance is easier for me to understand. Yes. Thank you for your question and comment. Yes. Well, Annie Plex is in the music segment and Crunchyroll is in the film segment.

Moderator

But we are not disclosing the performance of each company. I and but the debt to the best means possible, in our explanation of the different business segments, we try to convey this to you, communicate this to you. Once it reaches a certain size, yes, I took your comment that it might be better to reorganize. Well, yes, that is one way of thinking. But not just for the sake of people understanding our business forecast that should we do such things.

Moderator

Instead, we have to think about the motivation of the organization and the expertise of the people working there. We always have to think about the optimum way. And we will keep in mind such options. But at this point in time, we do not have any plans to make any changes to the organization. And the second is about INSS.

Moderator

Well, the profit has increased this year, but you talked about reviewing investment. So are there any thoughts on this plus? And also the automobile sensor, the mid- to long term growth, I think that you've included this. So what is your outlook of the market growth and the overall outlook? Thank you.

Moderator

Well, about the investment, we are always thinking about this. But in my speech, I did touch on this briefly. But we have to think of the long run and think about the sensitive evolution from in the long run because we have to invest in manufacturing. And this investment, how should we implement the investment is something of importance to us. And are we going to do it 100% alone or are we going to invite an investment partner or like Hublight.

Moderator

So there are different options. So at what time we execute is something that we are always thinking about. We have to think about investment and also our capability. So this is also the positioning of the market. So we have to think about the optimum option.

Moderator

And about the automobile sensors, automobile sensors as the market is growing. But, yes, growth is significant in, as you know, Chinese OEM EVs, electric vehicles. But the Chinese OEM electric vehicles, there's fierce competition. And it's only after surviving that competition, if they have extra capacity, they go overseas. And therefore, they are very strict about pricing.

Moderator

The automobile sensor market is growing in size, but we have to keep an eye on these developments because it's not a business necessarily where you can expect a large margin and large profitability. Having said so, rather than saying our outlook has changed, we are updating the market trend and think about our business alliance and make adjustments in our strategy. That is the way we look at it. Thank you.

Moderator

This concludes the questions from the media. The questions from the investors and analysts will start at 05:10, five eight, excuse me. Next, we'd like to move on to the question and answer session with investors and analysts. This is Kondo from the IR Group. I'll be the moderator.

Moderator

For those of you participating online, please click the raise hand button on your Webex screen. If you have any questions in this room, please raise your hand and we will bring a microphone. Two questions limited to each person. Anyone would like to ask a question? The second row on the right hand side from the MCs and moderators side.

Moderator

Hiya Kawawa from Innovation Investment. First about the gains. The first question, in the strategic presentation, I think you are trying to increase the monthly users and this is increasing quarter by quarter. This monthly active users, why is it increasing? And how do you plan to continue increasing that going forward?

Moderator

Can you please elaborate on that point? Especially in 2026 and 2027, I think the sales of the consoles are going to go down. Therefore, I want to know about this. And may I answer each one of your questions? So on the Game and Network Service, I'd like to ask Tao san to respond to that question. MAU, during the past fourteen quarters, it's always has been positive year on year. The generation evolving from PS4 to PS5, we've seen some changes. Rather than changing from one generation to the next generation, PS4 continues to be used actively. I think that is one of the most conspicuous differences. So going forward, every year, PS5 sales will continue to increase and transition from PS4 to PS5 may happen.

Moderator

However, many of the users are new users. So in the future MAU, I believe will continue to increase. I have that confidence. Thank you very much. The second question about the console sales.

Moderator

In the Q4, the sales was 2,800,000.0 yen which was slightly less than Q3. But Q4, if you think about the tariff, think maybe you should have brought it forward. But this Q4, point 8,000,000 units, when you compare that to your domestic plans and also the 2026 console sales, what kind of plans do you have for the 2026 console sales? Yes, the Q4 unit sales, it was as expected. Q3, as you know, was the holiday season.

Moderator

So of course the sales was very high. Including promotion, we had new titles and it was the most active season. Q4 in terms of the season, I think it was more composed. So the numbers, the units, it was as expected. Now about this year sales, This is a domestic image.

Moderator

It's 15,000,000 unit sales is what we are anticipating. So it's not that we have a very strong intention because there are a lot of tariffs and uncertain issues around the environment. So rather than looking for the unit sales, we want to look at the entire market and try to have a flexible approach to the shipment. Thank you.

Moderator

Next question, please. If you have a question, please raise your hands. Now the third row from the front on the right hand side block. I am Ayato from JPMorgan Securities. I have two questions.

Moderator

The first question is regarding the impact of the tariff JPY 100,000,000,000. Well, yes, assumption, let's say, if the assumption continues for the next fiscal year, this JPY 100,000,000,000 impact is expected for the next fiscal year. So yes, it will be pushing down by JPY 100,000,000,000 for the next year or by implementing some of the actions, you may be able to reduce this impact or maybe gain agendas, I understand, yes, I'm sure those are the segments which are impacted by the tariff. But maybe thinking about time line of the actions, maybe there are some segments which have more difficulties in taking those measures and having a less impact. Would you please talk about that?

Moderator

Okay. To that question, let me answer to the question. Well, we do not have a specific simulation, but the measures which we are already implementing on top of the measures, we may have to implement other measures so that we can minimize the impact. That could be the reality. So how we are going to take those actions or measures?

Moderator

Well, usually, we have to reduce the fixed cost. And yes, trying to be competitive. This is leading to the more competitiveness. So maybe we have to do it. Of course, we have to do it.

Moderator

And of course, the shipment from where we are going to make the shipment, that is also a huge impact factor. So thinking about the flexibility of supply chain, we have to refine and adjust the supply chain. And also in terms of so many SKUs for certain segment, if it's not profitable, then maybe we may have to think about discontinuing or terminating the business. So it's not profitable or maybe we may have to switch to the next different model or maybe we have to pass the additional cost on to the price. So yes, some segments are difficult to take measures.

Moderator

But in terms of taking measures, I understand, well, the price, this is not the business model, which we can control the price. So maybe this is a little bit more indirect influence. However, in that case, the level of the investment has to be reviewed. So that could be one option. Well, the assumptions change within really short time short term right now?

Moderator

And if this is going to continue for the next year, I think we have to think about a lot more measures. Thank you. The second question is for G and NS. The operating income the assumption for the operating income for this fiscal year, the reason for the increase, the first party increase of the profit and also add on contents, not the first party, but third party game contents. Well, regarding the first party, yes, maybe the major titles are based upon the previous titles and also regarding that third party, including add on, I think in the past, you don't really have a huge numbers on to the forecast at the beginning of the year.

Moderator

Well, what's the difference in terms of the expectation to that segment? Thank you. Regarding the first party titles for this year fiscal year, Ghost of Yotei, Best Finding two and Marathon, so those have been already announced. So we have major multiple titles in this fiscal year. So in this regard, Stranding two and Ghost of Yotei, we have the sequels.

Moderator

So yes, we can expect to a certain extent of the fans are going to also enjoy the new titles. Regarding the Marathon, this is a new genre relatively speaking. So maybe we see a little bit of the risk. However, this is kind of a reasonable forecast to be incorporated. Regarding the third party titles, we also have quite promising lineups of the third party titles.

Moderator

So yes, the installed base of the console and MAU, we are expecting the solid numbers in terms of the consumption. So we believe this is reasonable. And also GTA six is not included in our forecast. Thank you. Next question please.

Moderator

Online, Nakane san from Mizuho Securities, please. Can you hear me? Yes. Nakane from Mizuho Securities. Thank you.

Moderator

I have a question to Tao Lin san. You become CFO and what issues do you have in mind? What do you want to do? What is your ambition going forward? For example, Pictures and Games.

Moderator

For Pictures, ROIC is 6%, so it's the lowest. And questionable. I can it's quite visible. But the filmmaking, television production, I think it's quite tough in various ways. So Tao san, how would you like to boost the ROIC?

Moderator

What policies are you thinking of? How will you address this issue? Is the first about gain. Well, under the new organization, PL cash flow has improved significantly. But tell us, Tan, you were the CFO there.

Moderator

And the top line is increasing. I do understand that. But operation wise, what changes have taken place in generating this profit and cash flow? Please talk about the changes made yet. I think, well, you're spending the SG and A to a certain extent.

Moderator

So operation wise, I think there's room to make it more efficient so as to improve profitability. So what are the measures you have in mind for that purpose? Thank you. What I want to do? Well, my top mission is to ensure the healthiness of financial performance and work together with Mr. Totoki to achieve his goals. The funny pictures about the structure. Yes, I do understand that. And so we have Country Road, which is visiting anime and it's a very important strategic company for us. And as Suzuki CEO explained, SIE and PlayStation Network know how will be leveraged as to create synergy.

Moderator

So I want to support the business in such a way. And second, about SIE, what has changed? Well, I think there are two major changes. One, sell in units was the focus, but now they are focused on MAU. The management approach has changed.

Moderator

So I think there's a major change in policy. So it's NISCHO CEO's strong leadership. And I think that the management is focusing on engagement and MAU. And this is leading to profitability. The second change, the first party studio.

Moderator

In the past, there were various issues and Doctor. Kissane was temporarily the CEO And Carrie talked about various structural reforms. And compared to a few years ago, the financial discipline is in place. But we're still halfway and but there's still upside opportunity here. But I think the mindset has changed significantly. That is all. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. So let's move on to the next question. There's a person in the middle of the room raising his hand. Okataki from Nomura Securities. I want to ask about Game and INSS, one question each.

Moderator

PlayStation five, the production in The U. S, what kind of plans do you have? I think the ratio of production in China is higher, but if you're trying to diversify, please let us know. I think you have some inventory in The U. S.

Moderator

So how much have you been able to consolidate that? And the next one is INSS. I think the manufacturing process needs to change. Well, what will that be? Is it the mobile manufacturing or could it be some kind of automotive equipment?

Moderator

I think you have made investments in the past. So compared to that past, how much investment are you planning when? On games, I'd like to answer your question. PlayStation and the peripherals is being produced in four countries. China has high ratio.

Moderator

Yes, that's true. But the supply chain has been diversified and it's not just China, but there are other countries in which it's being going to be produced, manufactured. As for inventory, of course, the details change from day to day, but it's the inventory for three months distribution that is the image. INSS, the manufacturing process review, new process is going to be introduced. The sensor needs to evolve.

Moderator

It becomes much more we need a much more mobile type of image sensors, which will need a much more higher precision. So it's not in the current MRP, but the next one and the following mid range plan will incorporate that. In 02/1930, it will gradually start to incorporate these changes. The details will be announced when we update our MRP every three years. So at that time, we can announce or give you the details.

Moderator

The investment size, it's very difficult to compare to the past. This MRP, I think, yes, it went down. But if you look at the one before this one, I think we are probably getting closer to the two MRPs back. So the it depends on the fab that is going to start operation in Kumamoto. Of course, we're not going to do the investment without any plans.

Moderator

It depends on the demand. We have to have an optimal type of gradual investment that we'll take into account the demand.

Moderator

Our time is limited. So next question is going to be the last question. SMBC Nikko Securities, Katsura san, please. Two questions. The first is regarding tariff JPY 100,000,000,001 third for each segment.

Moderator

And Game is a little bit smaller and Semiconductor is a bit higher than what I expected. In case of Games, allocations are changing. That's what you explained. But should we understand this as an indirect impact? That's our first question.

Moderator

The next is your operating cash flow. So the additional part will be returned on Slide 29. And that was what I heard. And yes, regarding the strategic investment, so yes, those will be on the shareholders' return. But JPY 1,800,000,000,000.0, which is the strategic investment.

Moderator

So as a first initial year, what will be the level and also the future thinking? Thank you. Well, thank you very much. To your first question, I understand as you expected, it's indirectly influenced. So the end products demand decrease is reflected on to the simulations.

Moderator

And in terms of the capital allocation, Harakasan, please. Yes, let me answer to the question. Regarding the capital allocation, the strategic investment progress, yes, the capital allocation, well, last fiscal year, the execution cash out already and also made decisions and that is counted as capital allocation progress. From the previous year, it's about JPY 500,000,000,000 or maybe $510,000,000,000 that's being progressed. And the cumulative for the three year, as was explained by Tao san, JPY one point eight trillion, which has not changed.

Moderator

But the growth investment, we always try to see the opportunities for growth investment and that is going to continue and that is what we are going to invest. The operating cash flow, yes, we are going to create that to the shareholder return. So we have to have a good balance in terms of the capital allocation. So we are better at capital allocation. Thank you.

Moderator

Okay. So with that, we would like to close this Sony Group Financial Group, the Corporate Strategy and Earnings Announcement Presentation twenty twenty five. Once again, thank you very much for your participation. So now all the speakers are going to this stage. Thank you.

Analysts
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