Nintendo-Canon Benefit as Weaker Yen Masks Apple Competition

Japan’s weakening currency is boosting the earnings outlook at Nintendo Co. and Canon Inc., helping them counter slowing sales of video-game machines and compact cameras as consumers turn to smartphones and tablets.

Nintendo, creator of the Mario and Zelda game franchises, doubled its annual net income forecast yesterday, while cutting the sales outlook for its new Wii U console and 3DS handheld player. Canon, the world’s largest camera-maker, may increase net income 14 percent to 255 billion yen ($2.8 billion yen) this year, even as compact-camera sales fall.