FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of November 2008
Commission File Number: 1-6784
Panasonic Corporation
Kadoma, Osaka, Japan
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ¨ No x
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Panasonic Corporation | ||||
| By: | /s/ YUKITOSHI ONDA | |||
| Yukitoshi Onda, Attorney-in-Fact | ||||
| General Manager of Investor Relations | ||||
| Panasonic Corporation | ||||
| Dated: November 28, 2008 | ||||
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| Media Contacts: | Investor Relations Contacts: | |
| Akira Kadota (Japan) | Kazuo Sasaki (Japan) | |
| International PR | Investor Relations | |
| (Tel: +81-3-3578-1237) | (Tel: +81-6-6908-1121) | |
| Panasonic News Bureau (Japan) | Yoichi Nagata (U.S.) | |
| (Tel: +81-3-3542-6205) | Panasonic Finance (America), Inc. | |
| (Tel: +1-212-698-1362) | ||
| Jim Reilly (U.S.) | ||
| (Tel: +1-201-392-6067) | Hiroko Carvell (Europe) | |
| Panasonic Finance (Europe) plc | ||
| Anne Guennewig (Europe) | (Tel: +44-20-7562-4400) | |
| (Tel: +49-611-235-457) | ||
PANASONIC REPORTS REVISED FINANCIAL FORECAST
Osaka, Japan, November 27, 2008 — Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic [NYSE symbol: PC]) today announced a revision of its consolidated financial results forecast for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009).
The current financial crisis originated in the United States has spread across the world and the business sentiment in Japan and overseas has significantly worsened. Under these circumstances, the company’s business conditions are deteriorating sharply, due mainly to the rapid appreciation of the yen, sluggish consumer spending and ever-intensified price competition. In addition, there are negative factors such as a write-down of investment securities as a result of the decline in stock prices and business restructuring expenses. Accordingly, Panasonic today announced a downward revision of the consolidated financial forecast for the full fiscal year 2009, ending March 31, 2009 from the previous forecast announced on April 28, 2008.
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Regarding net sales on a consolidated basis, the company has revised its previous forecast of 9,200 billion yen downward to 8,500 billion yen. Consolidated operating profit1 is expected to amount to 340 billion yen, down from the previous forecast of 560 billion yen. Consolidated income before income taxes is forecast to be 100 billion yen, down from the previously announced 500 billion yen. Net income is now expected to decrease from the previous forecast of 310 billion yen to 30 billion yen.
Panasonic Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Panasonic’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York stock exchanges.
For more information, please visit the following web sites:
Panasonic home page URL: http://panasonic.net/
Panasonic IR web site URL: http://panasonic.net/ir/
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In order to be consistent with generally accepted financial reporting practices in Japan, operating profit is presented as net sales less cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. The company believes that this is useful to investors in comparing the company’s financial results with those of other Japanese companies. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, certain expenses such as impairment losses on long-lived assets and expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs at certain domestic and overseas companies are included as part of operating profit in the consolidated statement of income. |
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Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) about Panasonic and its Group companies (the Panasonic Group). To the extent that statements in this press release do not relate to historical or current facts, they constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of the Panasonic Group in light of the information currently available to it, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the Panasonic Group’s actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Panasonic undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release. Investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by Panasonic in its subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to above include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, particularly consumer spending and corporate capital expenditures in the United States, Europe, Japan, China and other Asian countries; volatility in demand for electronic equipment and components from business and industrial customers, as well as consumers in many product and geographical markets; currency rate fluctuations, notably between the yen, the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese yuan, Asian currencies and other currencies in which the Panasonic Group operates businesses, or in which assets and liabilities of the Panasonic Group are denominated; the ability of the Panasonic Group to respond to rapid technological changes and changing consumer preferences with timely and cost-effective introductions of new products in markets that are highly competitive in terms of both price and technology; the possibility of not achieving expected results on the alliances or mergers and acquisitions; the ability of the Panasonic Group to achieve its business objectives through joint ventures and other collaborative agreements with other companies; the ability of the Panasonic Group to maintain competitive strength in many product and geographical areas; the possibility of incurring expenses resulting from any defects in products or services of the Panasonic Group; the possibility that the Panasonic Group may face intellectual property infringement claims by third parties; current and potential, direct and indirect restrictions imposed by other countries over trade, manufacturing, labor and operations; fluctuations in market prices of securities and other assets in which the Panasonic Group has holdings or changes in valuation of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and goodwill, deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions; future changes or revisions to accounting policies or accounting rules; as well as natural disasters including earthquakes and other events that may negatively impact business activities of the Panasonic Group. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive and further information is contained in Panasonic’s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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