Sony Corporation (NYSE:SONY) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Sony Corporation (NYSE:SONY) has received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have given a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $22.00.

SONY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $22.00 price target (down from $30.00) on shares of Sony in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Sony in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Benchmark restated a “buy” rating on shares of Sony in a research report on Monday, May 11th.

Insider Activity at Sony

In other Sony news, insider Tsuyoshi Kodera sold 17,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.61, for a total value of $395,675.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 27,553 shares in the company, valued at approximately $622,973.33. This represents a 38.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Kenichiro Yoshida sold 400,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.61, for a total value of $9,044,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 661,615 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,959,115.15. This represents a 37.68% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 7.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sony

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SONY. YANKCOM Partnership boosted its position in Sony by 748.7% in the 4th quarter. YANKCOM Partnership now owns 976 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sony during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sony during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Sony by 404.1% during the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,109 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 889 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Twin Tree Management LP lifted its position in shares of Sony by 4,218.5% during the 4th quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 1,112 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 14.05% of the company’s stock.

Sony Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SONY opened at $21.30 on Wednesday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $21.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.12. The firm has a market cap of $126.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -106.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.93. Sony has a 52 week low of $19.63 and a 52 week high of $30.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.

Sony (NYSE:SONY) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 8th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $19.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $18.43 billion. Sony had a negative net margin of 2.61% and a positive return on equity of 12.20%. Sony’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $32.86 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Sony will post 1.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Sony Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 30th were given a $0.0796 dividend. This represents a yield of 80.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 30th. Sony’s dividend payout ratio is currently -55.00%.

Sony News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Sony this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sony Electronics expanded its professional display lineup with a new 135-inch Crystal LED UNIFY all-in-one display, highlighting continued product rollout in higher-end commercial hardware. Sony Electronics Expands Professional Display Lineup with Crystal LED UNIFY, a 135-inch All-in-One Direct View Option
• Positive Sentiment: Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced a new X-ray CMOS sensor with industry-leading imaging and low-noise performance, a potentially supportive development for its imaging and industrial sensor business. Sony Semiconductor Solutions to Release X-ray CMOS Sensor with Industry’s Fastest Imaging and Low-Noise Performance for Inspection and Measurement Instrumentation
• Positive Sentiment: Sony’s headphones and PlayStation accessories are seeing heavy discount activity ahead of Prime Day and Sony’s Days of Play sale, which may support near-term demand for its gaming and audio products. Best Buy Is Selling Sony’s Popular Noise-Canceling Headphones for Only $100
• Positive Sentiment: PlayStation engagement remains strong, with Sony’s latest State of Play livestream becoming the company’s second-biggest ever, a positive sign for the gaming ecosystem. Latest PS5 State of Play Now Sony’s Second Biggest Livestream Ever
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles highlight Sony product buzz, including new camera/sensor images, a leaked OLED TV, and strong interest in Sony audio gear, but these are mostly promotional or enthusiast-focused and do not materially change the earnings outlook. Sony’s new 135-inch display is basically boardroom excess in its finest form
• Neutral Sentiment: Sony Pictures promoted Devon Hammonds to head of nonfiction, a routine management move that is unlikely to move the stock by itself. Sony Pictures Television Promotes Devon Hammonds To Head Of Nonfiction
• Negative Sentiment: Sony’s “Helldivers” movie lost lead actor Jason Momoa, forcing the studio to search for a replacement and adding uncertainty to a high-profile film project. Jason Momoa Exits Justin Lin-Directed Sony Feature ‘Helldivers’
• Negative Sentiment: In Japan, a competing camera model overtook the Sony A7 V on the best-selling chart, suggesting softer momentum in one of Sony’s key imaging categories. No. 1 shift as “finest stills camera ever made” overtakes Sony A7 V in Japan’s best-selling chart
• Negative Sentiment: Suno is seeking to block Sony and UMG from expanding a copyright lawsuit to more than 61,000 recordings, keeping legal overhang in focus for Sony Music. Suno asks court to block UMG and Sony from expanding copyright lawsuit to over 61,000 recordings

Sony Company Profile

Sony Group Corporation (NYSE: SONY) is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Founded in 1946 by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, Sony has grown from an electronics maker into a diversified global company with operations spanning consumer electronics, entertainment, gaming, semiconductors and financial services. The company’s shares trade in Japan and its American Depositary Receipts trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SONY.

Sony’s primary businesses include Electronics Products & Solutions, which covers televisions, audio equipment, digital cameras and professional broadcast systems; Game & Network Services, anchored by the PlayStation platform, consoles, software and online services; Music and Pictures, through Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment, producing, distributing and licensing recorded music, film and television content; Imaging & Sensing Solutions, which develops CMOS image sensors and other semiconductor components; and Financial Services, offering life insurance, banking and other financial products in Japan.