Sir Howard Stringer expresses concern over the yen

by Nick Doerr { Jan 25th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Sir Howard Stringer, the lord of lords over at Sony, has recently come out to express his concern over the strengthening power of the Japanese Yen. He assures people that Sony as a company is doing great -- so no, this isn't a complaint about declining profits or something -- but the impact of the strengthening yen may have an adverse affect on business, namely exports. He said at the World Economic Forum, "There is always an impact on exports. The yen is volatile...We watch it with some anxiety."

See, if the yen is stronger, and Sony chiefly profits from exports, this could bode for bad times as other countries will have to pay more for Sony's stuff as imports. Stringer said that the consumer electronics division, especially the PlayStation branch, are holding up just fine, noting the powerful performance of the PS3 as of late: "It's moving into its own as it gets into higher bandwidth ... PS3 is out of the woods and beginning to hold its own." We'll have to watch the world economy a little more closely, too, we guess.

Tags: howard-stringer, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Spoony @ Jan 25th 2008 4:33PM

What he should be saying is, "Stupid America, make money again so your dollar stops sucking."

SonyPG @ Jan 25th 2008 6:04PM

Spoony: America would not be the only one who would be effected by this. That is true, though.

- SonyPG.com

Musouka @ Jan 25th 2008 6:06PM

Ha! The USD has been falling and falling while PS3 was on shelves, while the Euro remaining strong, yet a unit costs $400 in USA and over 50% more expensive in EU. A few percent increase in prices would be nothing in comparison.
But Chinese currency is what the PS3 hardware depends on :)

John @ Jan 25th 2008 10:12PM

It's not 50% more. You're not factoring in the European economy, which is totally different than that of the US.

tobin92 @ Jan 25th 2008 8:54PM

good news Stringer.....The GBP is even stronger

ChodalBerryWagon @ Jan 26th 2008 3:33AM

The Australian Dollar has been getting pretty strong over last year too. I think it was up to 92 cents per AUD a couple months ago. I hope sony notices this and lowers our game prices.
Most games here have $110 RRP when they come out, compared to the US' $60 (i think that's right, correct me if I'm wrong). That's at least AU$30 too much.
Cmon, Sony, don't give me that 'shipping cost' crap. How much does it cost to ship a friggin box??

justme @ Jan 26th 2008 5:28AM

well europe and china is paying the wars of amerika that's is bringing us all down. So let's just stop giving Bush unlimited resourses that would help.

Unknown @ Jan 26th 2008 7:08PM

Too bad it doesn't work like that.

the dollar is weak due to a combination of factors, but one of them is the fact that we import more than we export.

How do we fix it? Well, for one people need to start buying American products. Buying a GM instead of a Toyota is a good example.

Not saying we all should sell our ps3's and get sh!tboxes, but just that people start thinking about where their products are from, and what they're buying.

justme @ Jan 29th 2008 3:29PM

Only said it would "help" but too be honnest it's too late for that.. and what you're said isn't gonna work, GM sucks, and who own's what these day's is GM still American or mostly an Saudi investment. all that america is really good at is selling fast food and cheap entertainment.... a "HOT AIR" economy.

justme @ Jan 29th 2008 3:39PM

oh and fighting wars for other people.. HOW STUPID IS THAT!? anyway... don't ask me when you're in the sh****r. and don't start a WO2 rant now, cuz ill win. Just look up Prescot BUSH....

"House Votes in Favor of a $146 Billion Economic Stimulus Package"

How does it feel living in a 3rd world country? This is AID.. and nothing else. Poor USA. I remember it so well, us giving the US help and money for New Orleans.. you got millions from all over the globe and look at it now......