Sony Group has raised its full-year profit outlook after reporting a stronger-than-expected second quarter, fueled by robust growth in its music publishing and imaging sensor businesses - two divisions that have increasingly outperformed the company’s flagship gaming unit.
Operating profit for the quarter ending September 30 rose to ¥309.7 billion ($2 billion), beating analyst forecasts of ¥280 billion. Sony cited stronger licensing income from global music streaming and higher demand for image sensors used in smartphones and automotive systems.
“This quarter underscores the diversification of Sony’s revenue base,” said Hiroki Totoki, Sony Group president and COO. “Our entertainment and technology businesses continue to show structural resilience.”
Music and Imaging Lead the Charge
Sony’s music segment, which includes Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, saw double-digit revenue growth driven by hits from K-pop and global streaming catalogs. The company also noted strong performance from the soundtrack of KPop Demon Hunters, the animated feature that has become a cultural hit across Asia.
In the imaging and sensing solutions division, Sony benefited from increased orders for its CMOS sensors, used in both smartphones and autonomous vehicles. Analysts said Sony’s early investments in automotive imaging are beginning to pay off as next-generation driver-assistance systems expand.
“The imaging business is quietly becoming Sony’s profit anchor,” said Hideki Yasuda
