Sony Corporation has reported its revenues for first quarter of the financial year 2015 that ended June 30, 2015. Sales remained flat at 1,808.1 billion yen ( US$ (14,820 million) with just 0.1% decease compared to the same quarter last year. Sony shipped just 7.2 million smartphones in the quarter compared to 9.4 million in Q1 FY14.
The mobile communications division has reported sales of 280.5 billion yen (US$ 2,299 million), 16.3% down compared to the same quarter the previous year. This was due to a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales from a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability, said the company. Operating loss increased 21.3 billion yen year-on-year to 22.9 billion yen (US$ 188 million). This is due to increase in restructuring charges that were offset primarily by reductions in marketing and other expenses as well as an improvement in product mix, added Sony.
Operating loss increased mainly due to the negative impact of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar. The company expects sales in the fiscal year 2015 to be lower than the April forecast, primarily due to an expected decrease in smartphone unit sales and negative impact of foreign exchange rates. It expects to sell 27 million for the fiscal year 2015, lowering its earlier forecast of 30 million units. It shipped 39.1 million smartphones in the financial year 2014.
In the devices sector, sales increased 35.1% YoY to 237.9 billion yen (US$ 1,950 million), primarily due to a significant increase in sales of image sensors reflecting higher demand for image sensors for mobile products, the impact of foreign exchange rates, as well as a significant increase in sales of camera modules. Sales to external customers increased 41.2% YoY.