Sony logs annual profit for the first time since 2008, forecasts 42 million phone sales this year

Sony's restructuring efforts that have been going on for a few years now are starting to bear fruit, as the company reported its first annual profit since 2008, to the tune of $434 million. Granted, it was mostly due to asset sales and restructuring savings, rather than the TV or smartphone departments, but CEO Kaz Hirai forecasted a stellar 2013, with 42 million smartphones sold, and $506 million in net profit, but from operations, bot fat-trimming this time.

Sony's fiscal year ends in March, so for the previous four quarters it reported 33 million phones sold, and the 42 million prediction until next March is quite the hefty almost 30% increase. If the rumored Sony i1 aka Honami cameraphone, and the Xperia Togari phablet indeed materialize as pilot devices for the new One Sony strategy, we'd wager to bet Sony might even beat these estimates handily.

source: Sony