Sony Boosts Profit Forecast by 8%, Citing Lower Tariff Impact and Strong Anime Performance
By Rich Nana
Sony Corporation has revised its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026, projecting an 8% increase to 1.43 trillion yen ($9.5 billion). The company attributed the upward revision to a lower-than-expected impact from U.S. tariffs and continued strength in its entertainment and semiconductor businesses.
For the quarter spanning July to September, Sony reported a 10% rise in operating profit to 429 billion yen, driven largely by improved sales in its music and chips divisions. The company noted that the strong performance of its anime segment, particularly the success of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle,” contributed significantly to the gains.
Once renowned for its consumer electronics, the Japanese conglomerate has successfully repositioned itself as a global entertainment powerhouse, betting heavily on the expanding influence of anime.
However, the company’s gaming division faced headwinds during the quarter, posting a decline in profit due to impairment losses linked to the “Destiny 2” video game. According to Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao, user engagement levels have not met expectations set when Sony acquired Bungie, the studio behind the title.
Despite that setback, Sony sold 3.9 million units of its PlayStation 5 console—a slight improvement compared to the same period last year. “We plan to expand the install base during the year-end sales season while continuing to balance that expansion with profitability across the entire segment,” Tao said during a briefing.
In related industry news, Take-Two Interactive recently announced another delay in the release of “Grand Theft Auto VI,” now expected in November next year. The long-awaited title is anticipated to drive fresh momentum for Sony’s PlayStation business as gamers upgrade consoles and invest in new accessories.
Sony also revealed that its newly launched game, “Ghost of Yotei,” has sold 3.3 million units since its debut last month, receiving positive reviews from players and critics alike.
Meanwhile, rival Nintendo raised its annual sales forecast for the Switch 2 console to 19 million units, citing robust demand since the device launched in June.
Sony’s semiconductor division also posted strong results, buoyed by higher sales of large image sensors used in smartphones. The company suggested that some clients may have accelerated purchases due to tariff-related concerns and market conditions.
The impact of tariffs for the fiscal year is now estimated at 50 billion yen, down from the 70 billion yen previously projected in August.
Additionally, Sony announced plans to buy back up to 35 million shares, valued at roughly 100 billion yen, as part of its capital return strategy. Following the earnings report, Sony’s shares closed 5.5% higher on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
($1 = 150.78 yen)