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Sony Lifts Profit Forecast by 8%, Citing Lower Tariff Impact and Strong Anime Performance

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Sony has raised its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 by 8% to 1.43 trillion yen ($9.5 billion), crediting a lower-than-expected impact from U.S. tariffs and strong results from its entertainment and semiconductor divisions.

In the July–September quarter, operating profit climbed 10% to 429 billion yen, driven by robust sales in its music and chip businesses. Sony highlighted the success of its animated hit “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” as a key contributor to the performance.

Once best known for electronics, Sony has steadily evolved into an entertainment powerhouse, with anime now one of its most profitable sectors.

However, its gaming division reported weaker results after recording impairment losses tied to “Destiny 2,” developed by its studio Bungie. Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao said user engagement had fallen short of expectations following the acquisition.

Sony sold 3.9 million PlayStation 5 consoles during the quarter, slightly above last year’s figure, and aims to grow its player base during the holiday season while maintaining profitability. The company’s recently launched game “Ghost of Yotei” sold 3.3 million copies, receiving strong critical and commercial response.

Meanwhile, the global gaming landscape continues to evolve: Take-Two Interactive has once again delayed “Grand Theft Auto VI” to November next year, while Nintendo has raised its forecast for the Switch 2 to 19 million units amid high demand.

Sony’s chip business also saw gains from increased sales of large image sensors used in smartphones, with some clients reportedly accelerating purchases ahead of tariffs. The company now expects a 50 billion yen tariff impact, lower than its earlier estimate of 70 billion yen.

To reward shareholders, Sony announced a share buyback program of up to 35 million shares worth around 100 billion yen. Following the news, Sony’s stock rose 5.5%.

Microsoft raises Xbox prices in U.S. again amid tariff pressures

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Microsoft announced on Friday that it will increase U.S. prices for its Xbox consoles for the second time this year, citing rising costs tied to tariffs and supply chain pressures. The hikes take effect October 3 and will see the Xbox Series S (1TB) priced at about $450, the Series X at $650, and the special edition 2TB Galaxy Black Series X close to $800.

The move follows a May round of price increases across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the UK. Combined, the Xbox Series X has risen by $150 in six months, straining consumer budgets already squeezed by inflation.

Microsoft said the adjustments reflect “changes in the macroeconomic environment” rather than opportunism. Analysts agreed tariffs are the driving factor. “Hardware is being repriced to absorb new trade pressures,” said Joost van Dreunen, games professor at NYU Stern.

The hikes come as Sony raised U.S. prices on its PlayStation 5 consoles last month, with the PS5 Pro now retailing for $749.99. By contrast, Microsoft said it will not raise prices on controllers, headsets, or hardware in other global markets.

Industry forecasts had expected console sales to drive growth in 2025 alongside major game releases like Grand Theft Auto VI and Nintendo’s anticipated Switch 2. However, repeated price hikes and delayed titles may dampen momentum, clouding the near-term outlook for the video game sector.

GameStop Q2 Revenue Jumps on Hardware and Collectibles Boom

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GameStop (GME.N) reported a sharp rise in second-quarter revenue, driven by strong hardware sales and surging demand in its collectibles business, as the videogame retailer continues to adapt to digital transformation and competition from e-commerce giants.

Key Financials

  • Total Revenue: $972.2 million (up from $798.3 million a year ago).

  • Hardware & Accessories Sales: +31% to $592.1 million.

  • Collectibles Sales: +63% year-on-year.

  • Net Income: $168.6 million (vs. $14.8 million last year).

  • Shares: Rose about 4% in extended trading.

Growth Drivers

  • Exclusive partnerships: Selling special editions and merchandise tied to major releases, such as Take-Two’s Borderlands 4.

  • Gaming cycle boost: Strong slate of new releases and demand for Nintendo’s Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

  • Collectibles strategy: Leveraging apparel, accessories, and exclusive items to attract core fans.

Strategic Moves

  • Digital pivot: Investing in digital storefronts to compete with Amazon and other e-commerce platforms.

  • Restructuring: Closing hundreds of stores to streamline operations and improve profitability.

  • Crypto play: Monetizing bitcoin positions held on its balance sheet.

Outlook

GameStop’s stronger-than-expected quarter highlights the resilience of its hardware and collectibles businesses and the potential upside of its digital-first strategy, though competition remains intense in gaming retail.