Although major electronics makers have reported less than stellar earnings for the third quarter, they’re feeling positive enough to raise their full-year forecasts. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can give you exposure to the entire sector.
Many electronic makers have come to the market with aggressive cost-cutting plans and incentive to gain back consumer dollars, as the global outlook for the market shows signs of improvement.
- Although Playstation maker Sony posted fourth-quarter losses, the company’s latest results beat analysts’ forecasts by a wide margin, reports Hiroko Tabuchi for The New York Times.
- Samsung Electronic is still the ruler; the performance of other companies couldn’t match the world’s largest maker of televisions. Samsung said profits in the most recent quarter had tripled to a record $3.14 billion as it capitalized on investment in new panel technologies and marketing. It also got a boost from a weak won, which gave it the ability to undercut Sony’s prices.
- Panasonic notched its first profit in a year as sales of DVD recorders and household appliances showed some recovery. It’s now betting on batteries for hybrid and electric cars by merging with Sanyo.
Who can grab the most market share by cost cutting and appealing to consumers?
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- PowerShares FTSE RAFI Japan (NYSEArca: PJO): down 1.1%; holds 2.8% of Sony
- SPDR S&P International Cons Disc Sector (NYSEArca:IPD): up 55% year-to-date; holds 2.2% Sony