The biggest threat to SIE is Sony Group.
Yoshida & Totoki's poor strategic decisions about capital allocation lead to a deterioration in free cash flow margins, worse liquidity metrics and lower stock prices.
Sony Group FY17 | CEO and President: Kaz Hirai ($1 = ¥110.9)
Cash ¥1,193.2 b ($10.75 b)
Debt ¥710.3 b ($6.40 b)
Net Cash ¥482.9 b ($4.35 b)
Sony Group FY23 | CEO: Yoshida; President: Totoki ($1 = ¥144.4)
Cash ¥993.3 b ($6.87 b)
Debt ¥1583.0 b($10.96 b)
Net Cash ¥-589.7 b (-$4.09 b)
Past Year
Topix 27.21%
Nikkei 225 25.68%
Sony -4.00%
G&NS sales have risen by 159%, but profits "only" by 114% since FY16 . In other words, G&NS lower margins lead to explosive profit growth.
Talking nonsense about G&NS profit margins allows Totoki to avoid taking responsibility for his own decisions and take control of the only segment that can save his ass.
Which is why we' ve seen mass layoffs after the best Q4 in PlayStation history (Operating Income +173% YoY)
Totoki, a 60-year old man alien to the industry, couldn't care less about PlayStation future. He has designed SIE structure with the sole aim of maximizing short-term profits and save his own ass.
SIE Chairman: Totoki
SIE CEO: -
SIE President: -
CEO Platform: Nishino
CEO Studio: Hermen
SIE needs a CEO, a president and assets; PS5 needs a price cut.