Sony Raises Profit Forecast by 8%, Boosted by Anime and Chip Sales
Sony’s 2026 Profit Forecast Up by 8%
Sony Group Corp (6758.T) has raised its operating profit forecast for the year ending March 2026 by 8% to 1.43 trillion yen ($9.5 billion). The increase is attributed to smaller-than-expected impact from U.S. tariffs and strong performance in its entertainment and chip businesses.
In the July-September quarter, operating profit climbed 10% to 429 billion yen, reflecting higher sales in Sony’s music unit—including anime—and chip segments.
Anime Success: “Demon Slayer” Drives Growth
Sony highlighted the success of the animated movie “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” as a significant contributor to its entertainment revenue. Once known primarily for household electronics, Sony has evolved into a major entertainment powerhouse, leveraging the global growth of anime content.
Gaming Performance and PlayStation 5 Sales
Sony’s gaming segment faced some challenges in Q2 due to impairment losses for the game “Destiny 2”, as user engagement fell short of expectations following the acquisition of Bungie.
However, PlayStation 5 sales increased slightly, with 3.9 million units sold during the quarter. Sony plans to expand its install base during the year-end sales season, while balancing profitability.
Other notable game-related updates:
- Sony sold 3.3 million units of “Ghost of Yotei”, launched last month.
- Take-Two Interactive delayed “Grand Theft Auto VI”, expected to drive PlayStation upgrades next year.
- Nintendo increased its Switch 2 forecast to 19 million units, highlighting competition in the gaming sector.
Strong Chip Sales and Tariff Impact
Sony’s chips unit benefited from sales of larger image sensors, often used in smartphones. Customers may have accelerated purchases in response to tariffs and market factors.
Sony expects a 50 billion yen impact from tariffs in the financial year, down from an earlier estimate of 70 billion yen.
Share Buyback and Stock Performance
To reward shareholders, Sony announced a plan to buy back up to 35 million shares, spending around 100 billion yen. Following the earnings announcement, Sony’s shares jumped 5.5%.
Conclusion
Sony’s 8% upward revision in profit forecast highlights its diversified revenue streams, from anime and entertainment to chips and gaming. With strategic investments and strong content releases, Sony continues to strengthen its position as a leading technology and entertainment conglomerate.
