Canon has stated that its net profit for the fourth quarter of 2012 fell fractionally from a year earlier, remaining at 61.2 billion yen (US$680 M), and also posted a 9.7% fall net profit for the full year to 224.6 billion yen (US$20.2 B).
A forecast of 13.6% profit growth for 2013 to 255 billion yen was made because of the boost from the yen’s weakening. Canon posted sales of 951.4 billion yen (US$10.6 B) for the 4Q, a 1.4% down from a year earlier and operational profit of 77.7 billion yen (US$863.3 M), a 17.9% fall.
The Imaging System business posted a 7.2% year-on- year gain to 1,406 billion yen (US$15.62 B) in sales and operational profit down 0.5% to 21.03 billion yen (US$233.6 M). Camera business gained 6.8%; the lens interchangeable system camera sales rose 14% to 8.2 million units, and the compact digicams dropped 2% to 18.3 million units. The share of the lens interchangeable system cameras was 31% lenses. Outlook for fiscal 2013: The Imaging System business is expected to roll back with a 12.3% gain to 1,579 billion yen, with the camera business rising to 14.4% and inkjet printer up 10%. The company expects a growth of 12% for the lens interchangeable system cameras to 9.2 million units, compact D-cams will fall 7% to 17 million units.
