Sony Corporation (NYSE:SONY) Stock Has Consensus Target Price of $373.00

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Seventeen analysts rate Sony a consensus “Moderate Buy,” with 12 buys, four holds and one sell. The average 12-month price target is $373, although recent targets range from $525 to $700 among several firms.
• Sony reported quarterly EPS of $0.36, beating estimates of $0.28, while revenue reached $17.45 billion and rose 8.2% year over year. Analysts expect full-year EPS of approximately $1.45.
• Insiders sold heavily: Company insiders sold 598,227 shares worth about $13.5 million over the past 90 days, including a large sale partly tied to tax withholding on vested equity awards. Institutional investors own 14.05% of Sony.

Sony Corporation (NYSE:SONY - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the seventeen research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $373.00.

Several analysts recently commented on SONY shares. UBS Group dropped their target price on Sony from $560.00 to $525.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 6th. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their target price on Sony from $660.00 to $700.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Sony in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Sony from $488.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, June 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Sony from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, August 9th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Kenji Tanaka sold 20,000 shares of Sony stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.83, for a total transaction of $476,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 43,899 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,046,113.17. This trade represents a 31.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Robert Adrian Stringer sold 545,547 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.49, for a total transaction of $12,269,352.03. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 100,547 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,261,302.03. The trade was a 84.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders sold a total of 598,227 shares of company stock worth $13,488,286 in the last ninety days. 7.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sony

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Sony by 173.0% in the third quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 1,316 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 834 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sony during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Sony in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Evelyn Partners Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Sony in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sony by 56.5% during the 1st quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,736 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 14.05% of the company's stock.

Sony Price Performance

SONY traded up $0.01 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $24.27. 410,839 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,601,750. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.78 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.08. Sony has a 12-month low of $19.32 and a 12-month high of $30.34. The company has a market cap of $143.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.65, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.25.

Sony (NYSE:SONY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Saturday, August 1st. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $17.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.17 billion. Sony had a positive return on equity of 13.06% and a negative net margin of 2.00%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $42.84 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Sony will post 1.45 EPS for the current year.

Key Sony News

Here are the key news stories impacting Sony this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sony introduced a Japan-exclusive Midnight Black PS5 with the disc drive sold separately. The limited-edition hardware could generate incremental console sales and accessory revenue, while highlighting Sony’s ability to refresh the PlayStation product line. Sony Reveals Slick Midnight Black PS5 Model
• Positive Sentiment: Sony’s Indian entertainment business unveiled new programming under the “Ithu Namma Vibe” branding, supporting local content engagement and advertising opportunities, though the direct financial impact is likely modest. Sony VIZHA Programming Line-up
• Neutral Sentiment: Third-party products using Sony’s IMX900 image sensor and continued demand for Sony headphones and Inzone gaming headsets reinforce brand and component visibility, but reviews, discounts and partner products do not materially affect Sony’s near-term earnings. Vadzo Imaging Falcon-900MGS Validation
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage of Hideo Kojima’s visit to Sony and former PlayStation chief Kaz Hirai’s management anecdotes is publicity-related and offers no clear financial catalyst. Hideo Kojima Sony Visit
• Negative Sentiment: Sony is reportedly ending its car-audio business after more than 40 years. Although likely a small operation relative to Sony’s overall portfolio, the withdrawal signals portfolio rationalization and removes a long-standing product category. Sony Ending Car Audio Business

Sony Company Profile

Sony Group Corporation is a Japan-based global entertainment and technology company headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, the company adopted the Sony name in 1958. Sony's businesses serve consumers and commercial customers worldwide across entertainment, electronics, imaging and digital services.

Sony's principal activities include its Game & Network Services business, centered on the PlayStation platform, hardware, software and online services; Music, which develops and distributes recorded music and manages music publishing; and Pictures, which produces and distributes films, television programs and other visual entertainment.

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