Despite losing a little less each quarter since Kazuo Hirai took over as CEO, Sony still appears to be looking for ways to cut the fat. Its latest move? Sell the house. Taking a page from Nokia's book, Sony has announced that it has agreed to sell its New York headquarters building to a consortium led by The Chetrit Group. After settling its debts on the building, the $1.1 billion sale will net Sony about $685 million in operating income, potentially giving it the extra cashflow it needs to avoid a negative Q3 earnings report. According to Reuters, the firm may be planning a similar move in Tokyo, which could score Sony another $1.14 billion to balance its budget. Check out the company's official announcement after the break.
[Image credit: Ian Muttoo, Flickr]
Sony Corporation of America Announces Sale of 550 Madison Avenue Building.
NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation of America ("SCA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation ("Sony"), today announced that it has entered into a contract to sell its U.S. headquarters building, located at 550 Madison Avenue in New York City, to a consortium led by The Chetrit Group, a New York-based owner of commercial properties in New York City and other major US real estate markets.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130117/NY44753 )
The sale price is $1.1 billion, and it is expected that the transaction will close in March 2013. SCA and other Sony businesses (including Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment, among others) will remain in the building for up to three years under a leaseback arrangement with the purchaser.
After repaying debt related to the building and other transaction costs, it is expected that Sony will receive net cash proceeds of approximately $770 million. Sony expects to realize a gain on the sale of approximately $685 million to be recorded as operating income.
Sony is currently reevaluating its forecast of the consolidated financial results for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 to take into account this sale and other factors that might affect such forecast.
Eastdil Secured advised Sony on this transaction.
1. Reasons for this sale
Sony is undertaking a range of initiatives to strengthen its financial foundation and business competitiveness and for future growth. At the same time, Sony is balancing cash inflows and outflows while working to improve its cash flow by carefully selecting investments, selling assets and strengthening control of working capital such as inventory. This sale is made as a part of such initiatives.
2. Summary of assets to be sold
Assets / Location Headquarters building of Sony Corporation of America
(at 550 Madison Avenue in New York City, the United States of America)
Selling Price $1.1 billion
Book Value Approximately $174 million
Gain on Sale Expected to be approximately $685 million
Current Status Headquarters of Sony Corporation of America
3. Summary of Sony Corporation of America
Trade name
Sony Corporation of America
Address of head office
550 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, the United States
Name and title of representative
Michael Lynton, CEO
Business
Management of Sony Group's businesses in the U.S.
Stated capital
$11,316.7 million
4. Summary of Buyer
Trade name
550 Madison Fifth LLC
Address of head office
c/o The Chetrit Group, LLC, 512 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10018, the United States
Contact Information
c/o The Chetrit Group, LLC, attention: Jacob Chetrit
Purpose of incorporation
Special purpose entity to own real estate
Jurisdiction over incorporation
A limited liability company established under the law of the State of Delaware
Date of incorporation
January 15, 2013
Summary of investors
A consortium led by The Chetrit Group, a New York-based owner of commercial properties of various property types in New York City and other major US real estate markets
Relationship with Sony
Corporation
Capital relationship
Sony is not an investor in the Buyer. There is no capital relationship between the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein. There is no capital relationship between affiliates of the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein.
Personnel relationship
There is no personnel relationship between the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein. There is no personnel relationship between affiliates of the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein.
Transaction relationship
There is no transaction relationship between the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein. There is no transaction relationship between affiliates of the Buyer and Sony required to be referred to herein.
Status as a related party
Neither the Buyer nor its affiliates are deemed to be a related party of Sony.
Via: Reuters
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/7Jqsg9OICYA/
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