Wednesday, May 22, 7:28 AM
Sony (SNE) could have a well-needed opening in the TV market after rivals Samsung and LGE Electronics spent billions of dollars on OLED display technology which is behind schedule and will come to the market priced extremely high. With the turmoil, Sony could capture more LCD market share and create a sweet niche with its 4K TVs which will be priced between LCDs and OLEDs.
1 Comment[Consumer, Global & FX, Tech]
Wednesday, May 22, 5:42 AM
CEO Kazuo Hirai says Sony's (SNE) board is considering a proposal by Third Point's Dan Loeb to spinoff the company's entertainment group. Shares of SNE rose sharply in U.S. trading Tuesday after reports surfaced that the company is debating the merits of Loeb's plan. Hirai didn't say whether he supported the idea himself, but noted that the company intends to " build positive relations with its major investors," FT says.
Comment!
Tuesday, May 21, 10:09 PM
Shares of Sony (SNE) post double-digit gains in Tokyo after putting in a similarly impressive performance in U.S. trading, as rumors abound regarding a potential spinoff of the company's entertainment business. Broadly, Japanese stocks rally, as the Nikkei jumps 1% to 15,548 ahead of the conclusion of the BOJ's policy meeting.
1 Comment[Global & FX]
Tuesday, May 21, 5:06 PM
"We are designing Xbox One to enable customers to trade in and resell games. We’ll have more details to share later," says Microsoft (MSFT). GameStop (GME), whose shares were drubbed on concerns the One's requirement to install games on its 500GB hard drive (and tie them to an Xbox Live account) would eliminate used game sales, must be pleased. Microsoft also refutes rumors its next-gen console will need a Web connection to work, though developers using Azure cloud services can insist on it. Xbox 360 games won't be supported, and (unlike Sony with the PS4) there are no plans for a streaming service that can offer older titles. (earlier)
1 Comment[Tech, Consumer]
Tuesday, May 21, 2:20 PM
A little more on the Xbox One: The console will launch "later this year;" Microsoft won't get more specific. No price details yet. A deal has been struck with the NFL to provide "exclusive content" via SmartGlass/Kinect, as well as interactive broadcasts. Gameplay recording/sharing are now supported, as are Skype and group video chat . There isn't any game streaming feature similar to what's promised for the PS4 (SNE). Activision (ATVI) says Call of Duty: Ghosts will arrive on the One. With the One, Microsoft is trying to both address a secular opportunity - soaring demand for Web-based living room entertainment, and a secular threat - a shift in gaming spend/activity to mobile and social titles. (live blog)
2 Comments[Tech]
Tuesday, May 21, 1:53 PM
Shares of Sony (SNE +8.5%) move higher amid ongoing chatter that the company is considering peeling off its entertainment arm in a spinoff a la Dan Loeb's suggestion. What to watch: Most analysts and traders seem to like the idea of a Sony business split, meaning if CEO Kazuo Hirai reiterates next week during a scheduled presentation that he supports the company staying together as one then shares could see a rapid-fire drop.
2 Comments[Consumer, Global & FX]
Tuesday, May 21, 9:21 AM
Jefferies initiates coverage on Sony (SNE) with a Buy rating. With Loeb making some noise, an exit from the electronics business looks more likely, according to the firm. By Jefferies' math, Sony's profits would almost double if that were to happen. SNE +0.9% premarket.
Comment![Consumer, On the Move]
Monday, May 20, 11:15 AM
Pinterest says it's in partnership with several retail brands including Target (TGT -0.8%), Netflix (NFLX +0.3%), and Sony (SNE +2.8%) to include more detailed information on product pins. The photo-sharing website is starting to draw more interest from retailers due to its higher signal-to-noise ratio and average user income than other social networking sites.
Comment![Consumer]
Thursday, May 16, 9:19 PM
Japanese stocks take their cue for their U.S. counterparts to trade lower today. The Nikkei Average is down 0.9% to 14,909.21. Tech-sector blue chips were among the leading decliners: Advantest (ATE -2.9%), Pioneer (PNCOY.PK -4.9%), Sony (SNE -3%) and Nintendo (NTDOY.PK -1.9%). lower. Other blue-chip losers Nomura (NMR -2%) and Sharp (SHCAY.PK -4%).
Comment![Global & FX]
Wednesday, May 15, 7:32 AM
The Nikkei (EWJ, DXJ) soared another 2.3% overnight to top 15K for the first time since 2007 as the yen (FXY) slid 0.3% to a new multi-year low of ¥102.65. Leading was Sony (SNE), up 10% following Dan Loeb's push for a breakup. Toyota (TM) paced the exporters with a 3.7% gain. JGBs (JGBL) were calm, the yield on the 10-year flat at 0.86%.
4 Comments[Global & FX, On the Move]
Tuesday, May 14, 10:00 AM
Sony (SNE +9.3%) responds to Third Point's call for major changes at the company by maintaining Sony Entertainment will not be for sale or spun off. Though it's the expected stock answer, things could get more interesting next week when CEO Kazuo Hirai presents the conglomerate's turnaround strategy during a highly-anticipated presentation.
Comment![Consumer, Global & FX]
Tuesday, May 14, 4:26 AM
Daniel Loeb, whose Third Point has a 6.5% stake in Sony (SNE) worth some $1.1B, is pushing for a spinoff of the company's entertainment business including the film studio responsible for James Bond blockbuster "Skyfall" and the music label which houses big name artists such as Taylor Swift. (Andrew Ross Sorkin)
1 Comment[Tech, Breaking News]
Friday, May 10, 7:06 AM
Sony (SNE) gained +0.8% yesterday following stronger than expected guidance. Citi thinks there's more to come: "Consensus estimates could move a step higher, given that a TV earnings recovery looks more plausible... We think the market does not currently believe that Sony can grow profit and thus has not factored in profit growth. Accordingly, we think now is probably an ideal time to buy the shares."
Comment![Quick Ideas]
Thursday, May 9, 8:32 PM
Japanese stocks move higher today after the U.S. dollar rose over the 100-yen level for the first time in four years. The Nikkei Average rose 2.5% to 14,546, with exporters leading once again: Mazda (MZDAY.PK +0.5%), Nissan (NSANY.PK +2% ), Fanuc (FANUY.PK +2.8%), Panasonic (PC +3.3%), Komatsu KMTUY.PK]] +6.5%), Trend Micro (TMICY.PK +3%), Sony (SNE +3.9%) and Suzuki (SZKMY.PK +4.3%).
6 Comments[Global & FX]
Marlen_ Wow $SNE Loeb the same billionaire that made $YHOO go up!
May 14, 9:45 AM
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Clemens Scholl Dan Loeb takes on Sony $SNE. He will fail. Should have read "the Japan that can say no" written by Sony founder Akio Morita.
May 14, 3:50 AM
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Transcend Asset: I was just out of university 3 years (grad 2005)! =D Thanks for the interesting information re: Sony. I had fun reading up on each item.
May 15, 5:52 PM
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Transcend Asset: Sad to say, I found SNE a slow mover, and sold it a few times... and my current position is in the red. Next wk should be interesting!
J Mintzmyer Why is $SNE up? Unless I really missed something, I'd say the Xbox One already won the next-gen battle. Sony=Sega.
Tue, 3:16 PM
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sprasad03: short squeeze and theres a corp meeting tmrw, has nothing to do with xbox
Tue, 3:42 PM
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J Mintzmyer: Thanks. I don't follow them at all- but just looked out of curiosity today.
Tue, 3:48 PM
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DonutIgnoramus $SNE Sony up almost simultaneously with the announcement of $MSFT XBOX One at 1PM EST.
Tue, 2:04 PM
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caligrowthresearch: Damn, shouldn't have sold last week... Sony takes off like a rocket lately
Tue, 2:33 PM
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sprasad03: short squeeze and theres a corp meeting tmrw, has nothing to do with xbox
Tue, 2:35 PM
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Clemens Scholl Dan Loeb takes on Sony $SNE. He will fail. Should have read "the Japan that can say no" written by Sony founder Akio Morita.
May 14, 3:50 AM
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(8)
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Transcend Asset: I was just out of university 3 years (grad 2005)! =D Thanks for the interesting information re: Sony. I had fun reading up on each item.
May 15, 5:52 PM
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Transcend Asset: Sad to say, I found SNE a slow mover, and sold it a few times... and my current position is in the red. Next wk should be interesting!