Sony posted some pretty staggering losses last week, and Nikon is apparently not faring much better as the company stock value fell "4 percent to 1,567 yen, its lowest close since March 2011. The company announced net income of 46.8 billion yen for last fiscal year, missing its own forecast of 50 billion yen.*" When peering at the chart of stock value over the last year, it's not a great outlook.
Nikon released their end of fiscal year investor packet last week, and the results were bleak. Nikon Rumors did a good job of summarizing the situation:
Sales are down 9% due to lingering stagnation of camera markets mainly in Europe and China, but the profit increased 6%. Optimization of product mix in entry class SLR cameras and thorough cost reduction activities contributed to the recovery of operating income ratio from 5.1% in the 2nd half of FY3/2013 to 8.8% in the 1st half and 10.0% in the 2nd half, averaging the annual 9.4% rate.
Market downturn continues for digital camera-interchangeable lens type and compact DSC. 1st half still faces the unfavorable market condition, but the recovery is expected in the 2nd half. Sales forecast is lowered 8% but increase of operating income is forecasted.
Bloomberg allows for an extended period look at stock value:
With numbers like this, it's no wonder Nikon, Canon and Sony seem less focused on what pros are looking for and more on what they think will sell well. At this point, they need to move product above all else.
*Quote via Bloomberg
[Via Bloomberg & Nikon Rumors]
As a Nikon user I hope they get their butts in gear with some better products and product launches...
Nah, they'll just add another Nikon 1 body...
People are tired of buying one more camera body that's just about like the last camera body with a couple of upgrades. Then another one. Then another... And EVERY maker keeps putting out MORE! Who the hell cares? It's not the camera for chris' sake! An old Fm still can take great pics.
I know! Flashes are the same way. I'm still using my trusty old flash lamp for my pro jobs. I have no interest in LCD this and rechargeable battery that. Next thing you know my potassium chlorate distributor will be trying to sell me on "more refined" powder.
The manufacturers have way too many offerings and the inflated sales figures over the past 5+ years were a result of the general public buying their dslr as opposed to the true long term buyers of cameras (pros/ advanced amateur).The masses have already purchased "their" camera & have little need to buy another one. I personally haven't purchased a digital camera since 2009 and see very little reason to pick up anything. A MFDB would be most intriguing to use with my Mamiya. Most of my artwork is done with LF film.
Let's see if they "restructure" the Nikon 1 system out of their blood...
I love Nikon. But they isn't coping fast enough w the change? When was the last time they listened to their customer?
If Nikon listened to their customers, they'd came out with the D400 several years ago.
Like Canon?
maybe if they would give a crap about having video on a dslr.....
yep. or give a crap about the huge list of problems with their entire lineup. The D800 is years old now and we just got a firmware update that fixes stuff that should have never needed fixing.
New leadership is great!... as long as that means more innovation.
Where is Nikon's 4K camera, Cine lens, Serious Mirrorless, Field Monitor, Action Cam, Drone, perfect retro camera etc. They are leaving money on the floor.
The biggest problem I see is pricing. Everything seems too expensive for us to afford when the world is still not completely out of the recession, and most people are postponing purchases of new equipment. And a lot of people are just happy with their smartphone photography to care about buying more serious equipment. Sigh...
Mobile crap is sucking up all the money. Easy as that and it takes no Harvard degree to comprehend that. Sigh. A new smartphone every other year turns into a whopping $70/month fee which amounts to a staggering $840/year. A family of three spends an entire D800 each year for their phones !!!!
Tablets demand their share from the emaciated bank account as well leaving less and less for cameras. Who knew ? Xbox and PS have arrived luring consumers to spend even more. Again ... no remaining cash for cameras.
Camera manufacturers are fighting an uphill battle with little chance to come out winning.
That said, Nikons most perilous enemy is neither Canon nor Sony or any other camera manufacturer, instead it's the rampant mobile gadget industry vacuuming up all disposable money.