a5733906.htm
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 July 2008
Commission File Number: 001-06439

SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)

The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
 
Form 20-F  X
Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Yes No X
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
 
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/  Nobuyuki Oneda
 
                (Signature)
 
Nobuyuki Oneda
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: July 18, 2008

List of materials

Documents attached hereto:
 
i) Press release announcing Sony Ericsson Second Quarter Results
 

 
 
PRESS RELEASE
July 18, 2008

Sony Ericsson reports second quarter results

Q2 Highlights:
 
·
Break even results amid challenging market conditions and increased competition
 
·
Announcement of Open Mobile Software platform and Symbian Foundation
 
·
R&D investment continues
 
·
Alignment of operations to help restore profitable growth

London, UK - The consolidated financial summary for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Ericsson) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008 is as follows:

        Q2 2007       Q1 2008       Q2 2008  
 
Number of units shipped (million)
    24.9       22.3       24.4  
 
Sales (Euro m.)
    3,112       2,702       2,820  
 
Gross margin (%)
    29.6 %     29.2 %     23.1 %
 
Operating income (Euro m.)
    315       184       -2  
 
Operating margin (%)
    10.1 %     6.8 %     -0.1 %
 
Income before taxes (Euro m.)
    327       193       8  
 
Net income (Euro m.)
    220       133       6  
                           
 
Average selling price (Euro)
    125       121       116  
 
Units shipped in the quarter were 24.4 million, in line with our June 27, 2008 interim announcement of 24 million units. Sales for the quarter were Euro 2,820 million, a decrease of 9% compared to the second quarter of 2007 due to unfavourable exchange rate fluctuation, continued slowing market growth in mid- to high-end phones and increased competition. Gross margin also decreased compared with a year ago, reflecting a less favourable product mix, with particular impact in Europe, and increased price competition in general. Income before taxes for the quarter decreased compared to the second quarter of 2007 for the same reasons, as well as due to higher R&D investments as a percentage of sales.

Average selling price (ASP) for Sony Ericsson decreased both sequentially and year-on-year due to the impact of a greater proportion of lower priced phones in the product portfolio, as well as increased price competition in the market for mid- to high-end phones. Market share for the second quarter is estimated to be around 8%.
 
During the second quarter Sony Ericsson announced seven new phones, including its first 8 Megapixel Cyber-shot™ model, the C905. In addition the company started shipping 12 new phones, including a number of mid- to high-end Cyber-shot™ and Walkman™ models toward the end of the quarter.
 
“We are aligning our operations and resources worldwide to meet an increasingly competitive business environment and to help restore our capability for profitable growth. The measures we are taking are aimed at becoming a faster, more agile and more cost efficient organisation that can continue to create innovative products that excite consumers,” said Dick Komiyama, President, Sony Ericsson. “Our target is to achieve a reduction in operating expenses of Euro 300 million annually, with the full effect expected to appear within a year. We estimate that our restructuring charges will be of the same magnitude as our reduction in operating expenses, and we will incur such charges as our measures are implemented.”
 

Sony Ericsson joined leading phone manufacturers, operators and vendors in announcing its support for the establishment of the Symbian Foundation, an initiative that will enable all members of the foundation to use the Symbian operating software platform, royalty-free. The Symbian Foundation is planned to be operational by the end of 2008.
 
Sony Ericsson forecasts that the global handset market for 2008 will grow at a rate of around 10% from more than 1.1 billion units in 2007, with continued decline in industry ASP. The majority of this growth is expected to be in emerging markets where lower priced phones dominate.

Challenging market conditions are expected to prevail for Sony Ericsson for at least the rest of 2008, and in particular for the third quarter.

Cyber-shot™ and WALKMAN™ are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Financial statements and additional information:

Financial statements:

Consolidated income statement  (2)
Consolidated income statement – isolated quarters
Consolidated balance sheet
Consolidated statement of cash flows (2)
Consolidated statement of cash flows – isolated quarters

Additional information:

Net sales by market area by quarter
 
- ENDS -

Sony Ericsson is a top global industry player with sales of over 100 million phones in 2007. Diversity is one of the core strengths of the company, with operations in over 80 countries including manufacturing in China and R&D sites in China, Europe, India, Japan and North America.  Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London. For more information about Sony Ericsson please visit www.sonyericsson.com

CONTACTS:

Investors / Analysts
Ericsson Investor Relations                                                                                     
Gary Pinkham (Stockholm) +46 8 719 0858
Susanne Andersson (Stockholm) + 46 8 719 4631                                                                                                

Sony Investor Relations                                                                                                           
Shinji Tomita (London) +44 20 7444 9713
Tatsuyuki Sonoda (Tokyo) +81 3 6748 2180 

Press / Media
Sony Ericsson Global Communications and PR
Aldo Liguori (London) +44 20 8762 5860
Merran Wrigley (London) +44 20 8762 5862

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties.  We have identified certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. For a detailed description of risk factors see Sony's and Ericsson's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly each company's latest published Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

   
Apr-Jun
 
EUR million
 
2008
   
2007
   
Change
 
                   
Net sales
    2,820       3,112       -9 %
Cost of sales
    -2,168       -2,192       -1 %
Gross profit
    653       921       -29 %
Gross margin %
    23.1 %     29.6 %     -6 %
                         
Research and development expenses
    -344       -283       22 %
Selling and administrative expenses
    -310       -321       -4 %
Operating expenses
    -653       -604       8 %
                         
Other operating income, net
    -2       -2       1 %
Operating income
    -2       315       -101 %
Operating margin %
    -0.1 %     10.1 %     -10 %
                         
Financial income
    25       18       37 %
Financial expenses
    -14       -6       -  
Income after financial items
    8       327       -98 %
                         
Taxes
    0       -97       -100 %
Minority interest
    -3       -10       -72 %
Net income
    6       220       -97 %
                         
                         
Number of units shipped (million)
    24.4       24.9       -2 %
ASP (EUR)
    116       125       -7 %

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT – CUMULATIVE QUARTERS

   
Jan-Jun
 
EUR million
 
2008
   
2007
   
Change
 
                   
Net sales
    5,522       6,037       -9 %
Cost of sales
    -4,082       -4,231       -4 %
Gross profit
    1,440       1,806       -20 %
Gross margin %
    26.1 %     29.9 %     -4 %
                         
Research and development expenses
    -683       -544       26 %
Selling and administrative expenses
    -580       -605       -4 %
Operating expenses
    -1,263       -1,149       10 %
                         
Other operating income, net
    5       4       25 %
Operating income
    182       662       -73 %
Operating margin %
    3.3 %     11.0 %     -8 %
                         
Financial income
    49       36       35 %
Financial expenses
    -29       -9       -  
Income after financial items
    201       689       -71 %
                         
Taxes
    -57       -197       -71 %
Minority interest
    -6       -18       -68 %
Net income
    139       474       -71 %
                         
                         
Number of units shipped (million)
    46.7       46.7       0 %
ASP (EUR)
    118       129       -9 %
 

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT - ISOLATED QUARTERS

   
2008
   
2007
 
EUR million
    Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3       Q2       Q1  
                                                 
Net sales
    2,820       2,702       3,771       3,108       3,112       2,925  
Cost of sales
    -2,168       -1,914       -2,573       -2,154       -2,192       -2,039  
Gross profit
    653       788       1,198       954       921       886  
Gross margin %
    23.1 %     29.2 %     31.8 %     30.7 %     29.6 %     30.3 %
                                                 
Research and development expenses
    -344       -339       -349       -280       -283       -261  
Selling and administrative expenses
    -310       -270       -375       -280       -321       -284  
Operating expenses
    -653       -610       -724       -560       -604       -545  
                                                 
Other operating income, net
    -2       6       15       -1       -2       5  
Operating income
    -2       184       489       393       315       346  
Operating margin %
    -0.1 %     6.8 %     13.0 %     12.7 %     10.1 %     11.8 %
                                                 
Financial income
    25       24       19       7       18       18  
Financial expenses
    -14       -15       -7       -16       -6       -2  
Income after financial items
    8       193       501       384       327       362  
                                                 
Taxes
    0       -57       -118       -109       -97       -100  
Minority interest
    -3       -3       -10       -8       -10       -9  
Net income
    6       133       373       267       220       254  
                                                 
                                                 
Number of units shipped (million)
    24.4       22.3       30.8       25.9       24.9       21.8  
ASP (EUR)
    116       121       123       120       125       134  
 

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

   
Jun 30
   
Mar 31
   
Dec 31
   
Jun30
 
EUR million
 
2008
   
2008
   
2007
   
2007
 
                         
ASSETS
                       
                         
Total fixed and financial assets
    590       594       572       498  
                                 
Current assets
                               
Inventories
    538       484       437       477  
Accounts receivables
    1,905       1,710       1,870       1,831  
Other assets
    511       369       345       845  
Other short-term cash investments
    966       1,106       1,431       1,071  
Cash and bank
    624       605       724       659  
Total current assets
    4,544       4,274       4,808       4,882  
                                 
                                 
Total assets
    5,134       4,868       5,380       5,380  
                                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
                               
                                 
Shareholders' equity
    1,684       1,665       2,026       1,702  
Minority interest
    35       69       64       63  
Total equity
    1,719       1,734       2,090       1,764  
                                 
Total long-term liabilities
    25       25       26       21  
                                 
Accounts payable
    1,436       1,228       1,263       1,371  
Other current liabilities
    1,954       1,880       2,001       2,224  
Total current liabilities
    3,390       3,108       3,264       3,595  
                                 
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities
    5,134       4,868       5,380       5,380  
                                 
Net cash*
    1,591       1,703       2,155       1,729  

* Net cash is defined as cash and bank plus other short-term cash investments less interest bearing liabilities.

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

   
Apr-Jun
 
EUR million
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
OPERATIONS
           
Net income
    6       220  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    40       30  
      46       250  
                 
Changes in operating net assets
    -142       16  
Cash flow from operating activities
    -96       266  
                 
INVESTMENTS
               
Investing activities
    -29       -31  
Cash flow from investing activities
    -29       -31  
                 
FINANCING
               
Financing activities
    -8       -548  
Cash flow from financing activities
    -8       -548  
                 
Net change in cash
    -133       -312  
Cash, beginning of period
    1,711       2,045  
Translation difference in Cash
    13       -3  
Cash, end of period
    1,591       1,730  
 

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS – CUMULATIVE QUARTERS

   
Jan-Jun
 
EUR million
 
2008
   
2007
 
             
OPERATIONS
           
Net income
    139       474  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    69       58  
      208       532  
                 
Changes in operating net assets
    -242       -437  
Cash flow from operating activities
    -34       95  
                 
INVESTMENTS
               
Investing activities
    -50       -85  
Cash flow from investing activities
    -50       -85  
                 
FINANCING
               
Financing activities
    -470       -548  
Cash flow from financing activities
    -470       -548  
                 
Net change in cash
    -554       -538  
Cash, beginning of period
    2,155       2,273  
Translation difference in Cash
    -11       -5  
Cash, end of period
    1,591       1,730  
 

Sony Ericsson
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - ISOLATED QUARTERS

   
2008
   
2007
 
EUR million
 
Apr-Jun
   
Jan-Mar
   
Oct-Dec
   
Jul-Sep
   
Apr-Jun
   
Jan-Mar
 
                                     
OPERATIONS
                                   
Net income
    6       133       373       267       220       254  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    40       31       17       32       30       28  
      46       164       390       299       250       282  
                                                 
Changes in operating net assets
    -142       -101       44       88       16       -454  
Cash flow from operating activities
    -96       64       434       387       266       -172  
                                                 
INVESTMENTS
                                               
Investing activities
    -29       -22       -27       -53       -31       -53  
Cash flow from investing activities
    -29       -22       -27       -53       -31       -53  
                                                 
FINANCING
                                               
Financing activities
    -8       -462       0       -300       -548       -1  
Cash flow from financing activities
    -8       -462       0       -300       -548       -1  
                                                 
Net change in cash
    -133       -421       408       34       -312       -226  
Cash, beginning of period
    1,711       2,155       1,758       1,730       2,045       2,273  
Translation difference in Cash
    13       -24       -10       -6       -3       -2  
Cash, end of period
    1,591       1,711       2,155       1,758       1,730       2,045  
 

Sony Ericsson
NET SALES BY MARKET AREA BY QUARTER

EUR million
                                   
   
2008
   
2007
 
Isolated quarters
    Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3       Q2       Q1  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    1,386       1,494       2,251       1,715       1,729       1,598  
Americas
    740       486       636       573       499       365  
Asia
    694       722       884       820       885       961  
Total
    2,820       2,702       3,771       3,108       3,112       2,925  
* of which Western Europe
    900       979       1,569       1,103       1,102       1,078  
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Sequential change (%)
    Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3       Q2       Q1  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -7 %     -34 %     31 %     -1 %     8 %     -26 %
Americas
    52 %     -24 %     11 %     15 %     37 %     -34 %
Asia
    -4 %     -18 %     8 %     -7 %     -8 %     -11 %
Total
    4 %     -28 %     21 %     0 %     6 %     -23 %
* of which Western Europe
    -8 %     -38 %     42 %     0 %     2 %     -27 %
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Year over year change (%)
    Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3       Q2       Q1  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -20 %     -7 %     5 %     7 %     59 %     55 %
Americas
    48 %     33 %     15 %     37 %     52 %     46 %
Asia
    -21 %     -25 %     -18 %     -8 %     4 %     35 %
Total
    -9 %     -8 %     0 %     7 %     37 %     47 %
* of which Western Europe
    -18 %     -9 %     6 %     -1 %     47 %     60 %
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Year to date
    0806       0803       0712       0709       0706       0703  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    2,879       1,494       7,293       5,042       3,328       1,598  
Americas
    1,226       486       2,072       1,436       864       365  
Asia
    1,416       722       3,550       2,666       1,846       961  
Total
    5,522       2,702       12,916       9,145       6,037       2,925  
* of which Western Europe
    1,879       979       4,852       3,283       2,179       1,078  
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
YTD year over year change (%)
    0806       0803       0712       0709       0706       0703  
Europe, Middle East & Africa *
    -13 %     -7 %     24 %     36 %     57 %     55 %
Americas
    42 %     33 %     34 %     44 %     49 %     46 %
Asia
    -23 %     -25 %     0 %     8 %     18 %     35 %
Total
    -9 %     -8 %     18 %     27 %     42 %     47 %
* of which Western Europe
    -14 %     -9 %     21 %     29 %     53 %     60 %