In fiscal 2012, business conditions deteriorated in Japan and overseas due to multiple factors, such as the concern of the shortages of the electric supply caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the disruption of supply chains affected by the flooding in Thailand, the economic turmoil triggered by the European financial crisis, and the historically high yen, says Panasonic.

Under such business circumstances, as the second year of the three-year midterm management plan called “Green Transformation 2012 (GT12),” Panasonic implemented various measures. In particular, the company says it worked towards changing its business structure on the basis of paradigm shift to growth as follows:

1) from existing businesses to new businesses – such as energy

2) from Japan-oriented to globally-oriented

3) from individual product-oriented to solutions & systems business-oriented

With sales increases in products, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, meeting local needs in India and Brazil, and “HIT solar cells” by maximizing Panasonic Group sales strength in Japan, the positive results have started showing in some regions and businesses, says Panasonic.

On the other hand, the operating results in the flat-panel TVs and semiconductor businesses worsened significantly. Panasonic says this is because of severe business conditions, intense price competition and a decline in demand following the shift to terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan.

Following the management decision to address the negative factors impacting on the future profitability, the company implemented radical restructuring initiatives, including the business integration of unprofitable businesses. In January 2012, Panasonic conducted agroup reorganization as scheduled and started a new organization, which consists of nine business domain companies: “AVC Networks Company,” “Appliances Company,” “Systems & Communications Company,” “Eco Solutions Company,” “Automotive Systems Company,” “Industrial Devices Company,” “Energy Company,” “Healthcare Company,” “Manufacturing Solutions Company,” and one marketing sector: “Global Consumer Marketing Sector.”

Panasonic’s operating profit decreased by 86% to 43.7 billion yen from 305.3 billion yen in fiscal 2011. This result was due mainly to the price decline and the appreciation of the yen, in addition to a sales decrease affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand, says Panasonic. Income (loss) before income taxes turned to a loss of 812.8 billion yen from a profit of 178.8 billion yen due mainly to incurring business restructuring expenses of 767.1 billion yen, such as early retirement charges and impairment losses of goodwill and property, plant and equipment, as other income (deductions). Net income (loss) attributable to Panasonic Corporation turned to a loss of 772.2 billion yen from a profit of 74.0 billion yen in fiscal 2011 by incurring 25.5 billion yen for an adjustment to deferred tax assets and liabilities for changes in Japanese corporate tax rates as a provision for income taxes.

Breakdown by Segment

Panasonic restructured its Group organization on January 1, 2012 under which the company changed the number of segments from six to eight. Accordingly, segment information for fiscal 2011 has been reclassified to conform to the presentation for fiscal 2012.

The company’s annual consolidated sales and operating profits by segment with previous year comparisons are summarized as follows:

AVC Networks

Sales decreased by 21% to 1,713.5 billion yen from 2,156.8 billion yen a year ago. Despite favorable sales of PCs, this result was due mainly to sales declines in flat-panel TVs and digital cameras. Operating loss was 67.8 billion yen compared with a profit of 27.3 billion yen a year ago due mainly to a sales decrease and a price decline.

Appliances

Sales increased by 3% to 1,534.2 billion yen from 1,482.9 billion yen a year ago due mainly to steady sales of washing machines and microwave ovens. Operating profit was 81.5 billion yen compared with 84.0 billion yen a year ago due mainly to rising prices for raw materials.

Systems & Communications

Sales decreased by 10% to 840.8 billion yen from 938.1 billion yen a year ago due mainly to a sales decrease in small multifunction printers, business-oriented handheld computers and mobile phones. Operating profit decreased to 17.3 billion yen from 47.6 billion yen a year ago due mainly to a sales decrease and a price decline.

Eco Solutions

Overall sales remained stable at 1,525.8 billion yen compared with 1,526.5 billion yen a year ago. Despite sales decreases in lighting business, this result was due mainly to stable sales in energy system, housing system and environmental system businesses. Operating profit slightly increased to 58.9 billion yen from 57.9 billion yen a year ago due mainly to a fixed cost reduction.

Automotive Systems

Sales increased by 7% to 653.2 billion yen from 611.6 billion yen a year ago due mainly to strong sales in components and devices for eco-cars including batteries for hybrid cars. Operating profit worsened significantly to 4.9 billion yen from 22.7 billion a year ago due mainly to insufficient streamlining.

Industrial Devices

Sales decreased by 16% to 1,404.6 billion yen from 1,671.0 billion yen a year ago due mainly to sales decreases in general electronic components and semiconductors. Operating loss was 16.6 billion yen compared with a profit of 69.9 billion a year ago due mainly to a sales decrease and a price decline.

Energy

Sales decreased by 3% to 614.9 billion yen from 637.0 billion yen a year ago. Although sales in solar photovoltaic systems continued to be strong mainly in Japan, overall sales decreased due mainly to a weak result in lithium-ion batteries. Operating loss worsened to 20.9 billion yen compared with a loss of 15.2 billion a year ago due mainly to a price decline.

Other

Sales decreased by 18% to 1,880.9 billion yen from 2,304.8 billion yen a year ago. The Sales decline owing to the semiconductor business transfer implemented by SANYO Electric in fiscal 2011 led to the overall sales decrease. Operating profit worsened to 23.6 billion yen from 60.9 billion a year ago due mainly to a sales decrease.

Consolidated Financial Condition

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended March 31, 2012 amounted to 36.9 billion yen. This was attributable primarily to a net loss and a decrease in trade payables. Net cash used in investing activities amounted to 303.0 billion yen. This was due mainly to capital expenditures on manufacturing facilities, partially offsetting the disposition of investments and advances, and disposals of property, plant and equipment. Despite short-term bonds issuance, net cash used in financing activities was 53.1 billion yen due mainly to repayments of long-term debt, such as bond maturity and dividend payments. Taking into consideration the exchange rate fluctuations, cash and cash equivalents totaled 574.4 billion yen as of March 31, 2012, a decrease of 400.4 billion yen compared with the end of the last fiscal year.

The company’s consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2012 decreased by 1,221.8 billion yen to 6,601.1 billion yen from the end of fiscal 2011. This was due mainly to a decrease in property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and other assets affected by impairment losses of goodwill and fixed assets, in addition to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. Total liabilities were 4,623.5 billion yen due to a decrease in account payables and other factors. Panasonic Corporation shareholders’ equity decreased by 629.2 billion yen compared with the end of fiscal 2011 to 1,929.8 billion yen as of March 31, 2012. This was due mainly to net loss attributable to Panasonic Corporation. Noncontrolling interests decreased by 339.6 billion yen from the end of fiscal 2011 to 47.8 billion yen due mainly to the share exchanges for making Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Dividend

Total cash dividends for fiscal 2012, ended March 31, 2012, are expected to be 10.0 yen per share, including an interim dividend of 5.0 yen per share paid on November 30, 2011.

Difference Between Full-year Forecast and Result for Fiscal 2012

Regarding the result of fiscal 2012, sales were 7,846.2 billion yen compared with the forecast of 8,000.0 billion yen due mainly to a sluggish demand in Japan and overseas. Operating profit was 43.7 billion yen, compared with the forecast of 30.0 billion yen due primarily to a thorough cost reduction, despite a sales decrease. In the meantime, Pre-tax loss was 812.8 billion yen compared with the forecast of a loss of 820.0 billion yen and Net loss attributable to Panasonic Corporation was 772.2 billion yen compared with the forecast of a loss of 780.0 billion yen. Net loss attributable to Panasonic Corporation per share was 333.96 yen compared with the forecast of a loss of 337.33 yen.

Forecast for Fiscal 2013

Although the company expects some risks to continue, the global economy is expected to show a slow recovery in fiscal 2013. Under such business conditions, Panasonic regards fiscal 2013 as the first year in which it will achieve positive results following large-scale structural reforms and reorganization. The company also established three basic guidelines – “Focus on profitability,” “Strengthen products,” and “Take initiatives to change itself and make changes.” To that end, the company strives to achieve the following consolidated financial targets by maximizing its capabilities in the new business structure.

Consolidated financial forecasts for fiscal 2013 as of May 11, 2012:

Sales: 8,100.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: +3%)

Operating profit: 260.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: +495%)

Income before income taxes2 : 160.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: -%)

Net income attributable to Panasonic Corporation: 50.0 billion yen (vs. FY12: -%)