Sony Shares Tumble to Lowest Since 1987 in Tokyo on Concerns Over TVs, Yen

Sony Corp. (6758), Japan’s biggest exporter of consumer electronics, fell to its lowest level in 24 years in Tokyo trading on speculation the yen's strength and slumping demand for television will hurt earnings.

The stock dropped as much as 6.2 percent to 1,413 yen, the lowest intraday level since June 10, 1987, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. They changed hands at 1,418 yen at 1:17 p.m. The shares have dropped 52 percent this year.

“Japanese exporters will likely face a severe impact on their earnings from the yen’s gain against the euro and the dollar,” Masahiko Ishino, an analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. in Tokyo, said by phone today. “Demand for TV sets has been also weak, making their earnings outlook even dimmer.”

Panasonic Corp. (6752), Sony’s closest domestic rival, declined 5.7 percent and Sharp Corp. fell by 5.2 percent today. Japan’s Topix index is set for its biggest drop since March, after U.S. consumer spending slowed and incomes unexpectedly dropped in the world’s biggest economy, damping the earnings outlook for Asia’s exporters.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mariko Yasu in Tokyo at myasu@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at ycho2@bloomberg.net.

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Sony Tumbles to 24-Year Low on Outlook

Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg

A model wearing 3D glasses stands next to Sony Corp.'s 3D Bravia televisions.

A model wearing 3D glasses stands next to Sony Corp.'s 3D Bravia televisions. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg

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Sony Tumbles to 24-Year Low on Weak Outlook Concern

Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

The shares have dropped 52 percent this year.

The shares have dropped 52 percent this year. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg