PIONEER CORPORATION
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of July, 2006
Commission File Number 1-7616
PIONEER CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
4-1, MEGURO 1-CHOME, MEGURO-KU, TOKYO 153-8654, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F  þ                    Form 40-F  o
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  o                    No  þ
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
 
 

 


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SIGNATURES
Pioneer Announces Business Results for 1Q Fiscal 2007


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SIGNATURES
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.
         
  PIONEER CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: July 31, 2006       
  By   /s/ Tamihiko Sudo   
    Tamihiko Sudo   
    President and Representative Director   
 
This report on Form 6-K contains the following:
1.   The announcement released by the Company to the press in Japan dated July 31, 2006, concerning its consolidated first-quarter business results for the period ended June 30, 2006.

 


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For Immediate Release
July 31, 2006
Pioneer Announces Business Results for 1Q Fiscal 2007
TOKYO — Pioneer Corporation today announced its consolidated first-quarter business results for the period ended June 30, 2006.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
                         
    (In millions of yen except per share information)  
    Three months ended June 30  
                    % to  
    2006     2005     prior  
                year  
Operating revenue
  ¥ 191,676     ¥ 159,196       120.4 %
Operating income (loss)
    7,077       (8,931 )      
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    8,004       (6,672 )      
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    5,546       (5,369 )      
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 5,662     ¥ (5,343 )     %
 
                       
Basic net income (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  ¥ 31.80     ¥ (30.78 )        
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 32.46     ¥ (30.63 )        
 
                       
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  ¥ 28.87     ¥ (30.78 )        
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 29.48     ¥ (30.63 )        
Note:    In fiscal 2006, the Company sold a subsidiary engaged in the development of cable TV software, and reached a preliminary agreement on the sale of subsidiaries involved in the electronic components business. As a result, the operating results of these subsidiaries are presented as income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations. Previously reported amounts have been reclassified accordingly.

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Consolidated Business Results
For the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the three months ended June 30, 2006, consolidated operating revenue increased 20.4% from the first quarter of fiscal 2006 to ¥191,676 million (US$1,666.7 million), mainly due to higher sales of plasma displays, car navigation systems and car audio products.
     Operating income was ¥7,077 million (US$61.5 million), compared with an operating loss of ¥8,931 million in the corresponding period a year earlier. This reflected higher sales, as well as an improvement in the gross profit margin due to the benefits of business restructuring reforms started in the previous fiscal year and the weaker yen. Net income totaled ¥5,662 million (US$49.2 million), compared with a net loss of ¥5,343 million in the corresponding period in fiscal 2006.
     During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the average value of the Japanese yen was weaker against the U.S. dollar and the euro by 5.9% and 5.7%, respectively, compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
Home Electronics sales increased 32.0% year on year to ¥83,451 million (US$725.7 million). Plasma display sales rose by approximately 32%. This was mainly due to strong demand in Europe and North America for own-brand high-resolution models, which Pioneer is concentrating on, despite a drop in OEM (original equipment manufacturing) sales. Sales of plasma displays accounted for approximately 47% of total Home Electronics sales. In addition, sales of recordable DVD drives increased.
     In terms of geographic sales, sales in Japan declined 3.5% to ¥16,450 million (US$143.0 million), while overseas sales climbed 45.1% to ¥67,001 million (US$582.6 million).
     The operating loss in this segment was ¥397 million (US$3.5 million), showing a significant improvement compared with an operating loss of ¥12,358 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In addition to growth in sales, the gross profit margin increased due to the benefits of business restructuring reforms and efforts to strictly control costs and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Car Electronics sales increased 11.1% year on year to ¥91,336 million (US$794.2 million), reflecting higher sales of car navigation systems and car audio products. In car navigation systems, consumer-market sales remained firm in Japan and OEM sales rose. In car audio products, consumer-market sales expanded primarily in Central and South America, as well as Europe, while OEM sales rose in North America and Japan. OEM sales in this segment accounted for approximately 33% of total Car Electronics sales.
     In terms of geographic sales, sales in Japan increased 14.6% to ¥34,318 million (US$298.4 million), while overseas sales rose 9.1% to ¥57,018 million (US$495.8 million).
     Operating income in this segment increased 41.7% year on year to ¥7,532 million (US$65.5 million) due to the sales increase.
In Patent Licensing, royalty revenue increased 12.3% year on year to ¥1,261 million (US$11.0 million).
     Operating income rose ¥416 million to ¥787 million (US$6.8 million).

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In the Others segment, sales rose 23.5% to ¥15,628 million (US$135.9 million), mainly reflecting higher sales of factory automation systems in Japan.
     In terms of geographic sales, sales in Japan increased 52.9% to ¥10,031 million (US$87.2 million), while overseas sales declined 8.2% to ¥5,597 million (US$48.7 million).
     Operating income in this segment was ¥238 million (US$2.1 million) compared with an operating loss of ¥886 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. This reflected higher sales, as well as improved profitability in organic light-emitting diode displays due to the benefits of business restructuring reforms.
Note:    Operating income (loss) in each business segment represents operating income (loss) before elimination of intersegment transactions.
Cash Flows
During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, operating activities used net cash of ¥24,160 million (US$210.1 million). This was mainly due to an increase in trade receivables and inventories of ¥28,971 million (US$251.9 million), as well as a decrease in accrued liabilities of ¥16,787 million (US$146.0 million) mainly due to payments of retirement charges relating to the incentive-based early retirement plan implemented last fiscal year. These factors outweighed cash provided by the net income of ¥5,662 million (US$49.2 million) and depreciation and amortization of ¥9,152 million (US$79.6 million) for this period. Meanwhile, investing activities used net cash of ¥8,047 million (US$70.0 million). This reflected ¥8,320 million (US$72.3 million) for capital expenditures related to car electronics products and plasma displays. Financing activities provided net cash of ¥200 million (US$1.7 million), mainly by an increase in the short-term borrowings.
     Consequently, cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2006 were ¥88,818 million (US$772.3 million), ¥32,862 million lower than at March 31, 2006.
Business Forecasts for Fiscal 2007
     We revised our consolidated business forecasts for fiscal 2007, ending March 31, 2007, from those announced on April 27, 2006, as follows:
(In millions of yen)
                                 
    Revised     Previous              
    projections     projections              
    for fiscal 2007     for fiscal 2007     Changes     Results  
    (A)     (B)     (A – B)     for fiscal 2006  
Operating revenue
  ¥ 845,000     ¥ 830,000     ¥ 15,000     ¥ 754,964  
Operating income (loss)
    18,000       12,000       6,000       (16,409 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    19,000       13,500       5,500       (71,165 )
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 7,500     ¥ 3,000     ¥ 4,500     ¥ (84,986 )
 
                       
The above upward revisions to consolidated business forecasts reflect first-quarter sales and income that were ahead of plan due to smaller-than-anticipated price declines for

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plasma displays and recordable DVD drives. On the other hand, we foresee rising prices for raw materials as a negative factor.
     We are assuming that the yen-U.S. dollar and the yen-euro exchange rates average ¥115 and ¥140, respectively, for these projections.
Cautionary Statement with Respect to Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in this release with respect to our current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs, and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about our future performance. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. We caution that a number of important risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. You also should not believe that it is our obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We disclaim any such obligation. Risks and uncertainties that might affect us include, but are not limited to, (i) general economic conditions in our markets, particularly levels of consumer spending; (ii) exchange rates, particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar, euro, and other currencies in which we make significant sales or in which our assets and liabilities are denominated; (iii) our ability to continue to design and develop and win acceptance of our products and services, which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by continual new product introductions, rapid developments in technology, severe price competition and subjective and changing consumer preferences; (iv) our ability to successfully implement our business strategies; (v) our ability to compete, as well as develop and implement successful sales and distribution strategies, in light of technological developments in and affecting our businesses; (vi) our continued ability to devote sufficient resources to research and development, and capital expenditure; (vii) our ability to continuously enhance our brand image; (viii) the success of our joint ventures and alliances; (ix) the success of our business restructuring plans; and (x) the outcome of contingencies.
     Pioneer Corporation is a leading manufacturer of consumer- and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
#       #       #       #       #       #
The U.S. dollar amounts in this release represent translation of Japanese yen, for convenience only, at the rate of ¥115=US$1.00, the approximate rate prevailing on June 30, 2006.
Attached are consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2006.
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations Department, Corporate Branding and Communications Division
Pioneer Corporation, Tokyo
Phone: +81-3-3495-6773 / Fax: +81-3-3495-4301
E-mail: pioneer_ir@post.pioneer.co.jp
IR Website: http://pioneer.jp/ir-e/

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Pioneer Corporation and Subsidiaries
(1) OPERATING REVENUE BY SEGMENT
(In millions of yen)
                                         
    Three months ended June 30  
    2006     2005     % to  
    Amount     % to total     Amount     % to total     prior year  
Domestic
  ¥ 16,450       8.6 %   ¥ 17,040       10.7 %     96.5 %
Overseas
    67,001       34.9       46,165       29.0       145.1  
 
                             
Home Electronics
    83,451       43.5       63,205       39.7       132.0  
 
                             
Domestic
    34,318       17.9       29,941       18.8       114.6  
Overseas
    57,018       29.8       52,272       32.8       109.1  
 
                             
Car Electronics
    91,336       47.7       82,213       51.6       111.1  
 
                             
Domestic
                             
Overseas
    1,261       0.7       1,123       0.7       112.3  
 
                             
Patent Licensing
    1,261       0.7       1,123       0.7       112.3  
 
                             
Domestic
    10,031       5.2       6,561       4.1       152.9  
Overseas
    5,597       2.9       6,094       3.9       91.8  
 
                             
Others
    15,628       8.1       12,655       8.0       123.5  
 
                             
Domestic
    60,799       31.7       53,542       33.6       113.6  
Overseas
    130,877       68.3       105,654       66.4       123.9  
 
                             
Total
  ¥ 191,676       100.0 %   ¥ 159,196       100.0 %     120.4 %
 
                             
(2) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions of yen)
                         
    Three months ended June 30  
                    % to  
    2006     2005     prior year  
Operating revenue:
                       
Net sales
  ¥ 190,415     ¥ 158,073       120.5 %
Royalty revenue
    1,261       1,123       112.3  
 
                 
Total operating revenue
    191,676       159,196       120.4  
 
                 
Operating costs and expenses:
                       
Cost of sales
    140,567       125,944       111.6  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    44,032       42,183       104.4  
 
                 
Total operating costs and expenses
    184,599       168,127       109.8  
 
                 
Operating income (loss)
    7,077       (8,931 )      
Other income (expenses):
                       
Interest income
    949       627       151.4  
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
    601       (742 )      
Interest expense
    (399 )     (395 )     101.0  
Other — net
    (224 )     2,769        
 
                 
Total other income (expenses)
    927       2,259       41.0  
 
                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    8,004       (6,672 )      
Income taxes
    2,744       (1,588 )      
Minority interest in losses of subsidiaries
    246       568       43.3  
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies
    40       (853 )      
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    5,546       (5,369 )      
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
    116       26       446.2  
 
                 
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 5,662     ¥ (5,343 )     %
 
                 

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Pioneer Corporation and Subsidiaries
(3) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions of yen)
                                         
    June 30     March 31  
                    Increase/             Increase/  
    2006     2005     (Decrease)     2006     (Decrease)  
ASSETS
                                       
Current assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  ¥ 88,818     ¥ 114,770     ¥ (25,952 )   ¥ 121,680     ¥ (32,862 )
Trade receivables, less allowance
    121,240       109,699       11,541       107,563       13,677  
Inventories
    121,587       125,968       (4,381 )     104,226       17,361  
Assets held for sale
    22,553             22,553       25,577       (3,024 )
Others
    70,534       73,627       (3,093 )     69,626       908  
 
                             
Total current assets
    424,732       424,064       668       428,672       (3,940 )
 
                             
Investments and long-term receivables
    27,011       24,593       2,418       29,772       (2,761 )
Property, plant and equipment, less depreciation
    157,813       205,477       (47,664 )     160,231       (2,418 )
Intangible assets
    19,440       22,804       (3,364 )     20,576       (1,136 )
Other assets
    41,244       37,870       3,374       38,795       2,449  
 
                             
Total assets
  ¥ 670,240     ¥ 714,808     ¥ (44,568 )   ¥ 678,046     ¥ (7,806 )
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                       
Current liabilities:
                                       
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
  ¥ 35,297     ¥ 58,437     ¥ (23,140 )   ¥ 30,370     ¥ 4,927  
Trade payables
    111,404       98,285       13,119       102,082       9,322  
Liabilities held for sale
    15,249             15,249       17,863       (2,614 )
Others
    107,090       88,260       18,830       121,977       (14,887 )
 
                             
Total current liabilities
    269,040       244,982       24,058       272,292       (3,252 )
 
                             
Long-term debt
    88,888       80,357       8,531       92,970       (4,082 )
Other long-term liabilities
    24,044       42,458       (18,414 )     25,425       (1,381 )
Minority interests
    13,730       17,691       (3,961 )     14,109       (379 )
Shareholders’ equity:
                                       
Common stock
    49,049       49,049             49,049        
Capital surplus
    82,947       82,797       150       82,910       37  
Retained earnings
    179,488       255,213       (75,725 )     173,826       5,662  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (24,500 )     (45,306 )     20,806       (20,092 )     (4,408 )
Treasury stock
    (12,446 )     (12,433 )     (13 )     (12,443 )     (3 )
 
                             
Total shareholders’ equity
    274,538       329,320       (54,782 )     273,250       1,288  
 
                             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  ¥ 670,240     ¥ 714,808     ¥ (44,568 )   ¥ 678,046     ¥ (7,806 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Breakdown of accumulated other comprehensive loss:
                                       
Minimum pension liability adjustments
  ¥ (3,902 )   ¥ (11,255 )   ¥ 7,353     ¥ (3,680 )   ¥ (222 )
Net unrealized holding gain on securities
    8,803       6,499       2,304       10,352       (1,549 )
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
    (29,401 )     (40,550 )     11,149       (26,764 )     (2,637 )
 
                             
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
  ¥ (24,500 )   ¥ (45,306 )   ¥ 20,806     ¥ (20,092 )   ¥ (4,408 )
 
                             

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Pioneer Corporation and Subsidiaries
(4) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions of yen)
                 
    Three months ended June 30  
    2006     2005  
I. Operating activities:
               
Net income (loss)
  ¥ 5,662     ¥ (5,343 )
Depreciation and amortization
    9,152       12,547  
Decrease (Increase) in trade receivables
    (11,730 )     22,878  
Increase in inventories
    (17,241 )     (16,031 )
Increase in trade payables
    7,665       2,409  
Decrease in accrued liabilities
    (16,787 )     (8,085 )
Other
    (881 )     (9,435 )
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (24,160 )     (1,060 )
 
           
II. Investing activities:
               
Payment for purchase of fixed assets
    (8,320 )     (8,927 )
Other
    273       4,003  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (8,047 )     (4,924 )
 
           
III. Financing activities:
               
Increase in short-term borrowings and long-term debt
    1,456       6,049  
Dividends paid
    (436 )     (2,180 )
Other
    (820 )     (1,039 )
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    200       2,830  
 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (855 )     1,243  
 
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (32,862 )     (1,911 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    121,680       116,681  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  ¥ 88,818     ¥ 114,770  
 
           
 
               
Free cash flow (I + II)
  ¥ (32,207 )   ¥ (5,984 )
 
           

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Pioneer Corporation and Subsidiaries
(5) SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following segment information is prepared pursuant to the regulations under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan.
<Business Segments>
(In millions of yen)
                                                 
    Three months ended June 30  
    2006     2005     % to prior year  
    Operating     Operating     Operating     Operating     Operating     Operating  
    Revenue     Income     Revenue     Income     Revenue     Income  
Home Electronics
  ¥ 83,660     ¥ (397 )   ¥ 63,508     ¥ (12,358 )     131.7 %     %
Car Electronics
    91,789       7,532       82,608       5,314       111.1       141.7  
Patent Licensing
    1,261       787       1,123       371       112.3       212.1  
Others
    24,235       238       21,914       (886 )     110.6        
 
                                   
Total
    200,945       8,160       169,153       (7,559 )     118.8        
Corporate and Eliminations
    (9,269 )     (1,083 )     (9,957 )     (1,372 )            
 
                                   
Consolidated
  ¥ 191,676     ¥ 7,077     ¥ 159,196     ¥ (8,931 )     120.4 %     %
 
                                   
Notes:
1. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
2. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and 123 subsidiaries and the investments in 3 affiliated companies accounted for on an equity basis.
3. In fiscal 2006, the Company sold a subsidiary engaged in the development of cable TV software, and reached a preliminary agreement on the sale of subsidiaries involved in the electronic components business. The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries expected to be sold have been classified as held for sale at March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The operating results of these subsidiaries are presented as income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations. This presentation is made in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Reclassifications have been made to previously reported operating revenue by segment, consolidated statements of operations and segment information to conform to this presentation.
Summarized selected financial information of the discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006 is as follows:
(In millions of yen)
                 
    Three months ended June 30  
    2006     2005  
Operating revenue
  ¥ 7,644     ¥ 4,987  
 
           
Operating income
    274       62  
 
           
Income before income taxes
    182       62  
Income taxes
    66       36  
 
           
Income from discontinued operations
  ¥ 116     ¥ 26  
 
           

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