Sony Group Corporation (NYSE: SONY) Stock Outlook: Benchmark Reaffirms Buy Rating After Strong Q1 Results
- Benchmark reiterated its “Buy” rating for Sony Group Corporation and raised its price target to ¥4,200 from ¥3,900, reflecting a positive outlook for the global electronics and entertainment company.
- Sony reported strong results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Net sales increased 8.2% year over year to ¥2.84 trillion, while net income rose 32.1% to ¥342.2 billion.
Sony’s Game & Network Services, Music, and Imaging & Sensing Solutions businesses supported the strong quarterly performance. The company also raised its full-year forecast for sales and operating income.
On August 3, 2026, analyst firm Benchmark reiterated its “Buy” rating for Sony Group Corporation (NYSE: SONY). Sony is a global company with businesses spanning PlayStation gaming, music, movies, imaging sensors, and consumer electronics. Its major competitors include Microsoft in gaming and Samsung in consumer electronics.
Benchmark also raised its price target for Sony to ¥4,200 from ¥3,900. Based on the ADR’s July 31 closing price of $23.26, the updated target reflects a positive analyst outlook.
Sony’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 results covered the three months ended June 30, 2026. Consolidated sales rose 8.2% year over year to ¥2.84 trillion, while net income increased 32.1% to ¥342.2 billion. Operating income also rose 40% to ¥476.5 billion.
The Game & Network Services segment performed particularly well. Operating income increased 37% year over year to ¥202.0 billion, while segment sales remained broadly stable at ¥937.1 billion. Sony attributed the improvement in profitability partly to favorable foreign-exchange effects and U.S. tariff refunds.
Sony raised its full-year fiscal 2026 forecast. The company now expects sales of ¥12.50 trillion, operating income of ¥1.72 trillion, and net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation stockholders of ¥1.21 trillion.
Other analysts also maintain a positive view of Sony. According to one brokerage-consensus measure, Sony has an average brokerage recommendation of 1.42 based on 12 brokerage firms. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing “Strong Buy” and 5 representing “Strong Sell,” this indicates a consensus between “Strong Buy” and “Buy.”