Tokyo – Canon
reported lower net profit but higher net sales in its fiscal first quarter
ended March 31.
Net profit was down
2.4 percent to $668.2 million and operating profit was down 5 percent to $994.0
million, compared with the prior year’s first quarter.
Net sales were $10.1
billion in the quarter, up 11.1 percent.
In its consumer segment net sales were $3.49 billion, down
0.2 percent for the quarter compared with the prior year and operating profit
was down 15.7 percent to $480.8 million.
Canon did say that the the earthquake in northeastern Japan will create shortages in the
supply capacity for certain products and “are expected to continue, for the
time being,” Canon said in a statement.
Canon said it “has
been directly affected by the earthquake including losses from damaged
buildings and inventory, and has incurred such indirect effects as electricity
restrictions, supply shortages of components and a decline in consumer spending
in the Japanese market. These factors and others would negatively affect Canon’s
operating results and financial position.”
Worldwide Canon said fuel prices and financial crises in
Europe will have a negative effect, but “China and India, and other emerging markets are expected to
continue to realize healthy growth; the United States is projected to maintain
its upward momentum; and major European markets will continue to grow steadily.
