2012 - Canon's Imaging Sales are Down 7%

As all companies listed on the stock market, companies have to release their financial statements every 3 month and what's the outlook. Canon did that on 24-Oct-2012. Here are some extracts that think are “important” about Canon's imaging unit. Canon's imaging sales are down 7.3% for the last 3 month ended on 30-Sep-2012 but imaging sales are still up 6% for the 9 month ended on 30-Sep-2012.

  • Despite efforts to achieve sales growth with the competitively priced EOS Digital Rebel series along with the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 60D advanced-amateur models, sales volumes of interchangeable-lens digital cameras decreased from the year-ago period due to a delayed new-product launch.

  • As for compact digital cameras, while highly functional PowerShot-series models contributed to healthy sales, unit sales for the third quarter declined from the corresponding period of the previous year due to sluggish market demand.

  • With regard to inkjet printers, sales volumes increased from the year-ago period thanks to healthy sales of mid-level and high-end models, mainly in Europe and the United States.
    …
    Consolidated results for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2012

Reformatted by me for easier reading.

Imaging includes cameras and photo printers. Imaging's $12.7 billions, for the 9 month ending 30-Sep-2012, represents only 37% of Canon's sales, with the “big photocopy machines/ laser printers” representing the “bulk” of Canon's business.

The Canon sales being down are due in big part to the very high Japanese Yen against the US Dollar.

Canon's Outlook for the End of the Year 2012

  • Demand for interchangeable-lens digital cameras is expected to continue increasing across most regions, although prospects remain uncertain in some areas.
  • Demand for compact digital cameras is anticipated to increase for models offering high functionality and high added value.
  • As for inkjet printers, demand is expected to grow toward the end of the year.

Reformatted by me for easier reading.

Other Interesting Facts (according to me)

  • R&D on imaging for the first 9 month of 2012: $1.05 billion
  • 48% manufacturing in Japan and 52% manufacturing outside of Japan
  • Imaging current inventory: $3.3 billions as of 30-Sep-2012. These are imaging products sitting in warehouses and various distribution centres
  • 70,562 employees in Japan and 130,630 employees outside of Japan as of 30-Sep-2012