Sony guidance "suggests pending price reduction" for PS3
Analyst Colin Sebastian notes expected increase in sales as key indicator
Lazard Capital senior analyst Colin Sebastian believes that Sony's fiscal guidance for the current financial year points to a planned price cut for the PlayStation 3 at some point between E3 and the end of the summer this year.
Sebastian wrote in a note to investors that he couldn't be sure of the timing, or the amount of any price cut, but that the reduction in manufacturing costs would help.
"PS3 guidance suggests pending price reduction; timing and amount uncertain," he wrote. "Sony reported fiscal 2009 results and provided guidance for fiscal 2010, including an expected 30 per cent increase in PS3 unit sales levels to 13 million, up from 10 million in the most recent fiscal year.
"We believe this outlook supports expectations for a PS3 price reduction this year, likely at some point between the E3 industry conference in June and the end of the summer, as Sony is able to reduce PS3 production costs."
He also noted the strong software line-up in his note, with infamous, God of War III, Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2 and Gran Turismo 5 expected to release by the end of March 2010.