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