Nikon Tumbles Most Since 1985 After Forecast Cut: Tokyo Mover

<p ><a href="http://pmanewsline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/nikon-j3.png"><img src="http://pmanewsline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/nikon-j3.png" alt="nikon j3" width="525" height="432" /></a></p>

<p >While the overall quarter wasn’t <em>that</em> bad for <strong>Nikon</strong>, the stock took a beating, falling more than it had since 1985, reports <strong>BusinessWeek</strong>.<br>

After cutting its profit forecast because of slowing demand in Europe and falling prices, the stock dropped 19 percent to 2,139 yen at the close, the news service reports.<br>

Nikon says its net income in the year ending March will be about probably be 38 billion yen ($407 million), compared with a previous forecast of 60 billion yen. The sales target for SLR cameras for the year was trimmed to 7 million units from 7.1, while that for compact cameras was unchanged at 17 million units<br>

More from Bloomberg Businessweek <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-02-06/nikon-plunges-most-since-1985-after-forecast-cut-tokyo-mover">here</a><br>

Source: <a href="http://pmanewsline.com/2013/02/10/nikons-stock-tumbles-most-since-1985/">http://pmanewsline.com/2013/02/10/nikons-stock-tumbles-most-since-1985/</a></p>

<p>Hmm.</p>

<p>Where's Denis Bergeron ( http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00bInG ) now that he's needed again? ;)</p>

<p>Personally, I think Nikon has introduced way too many consumer P&S, Coolpix’s, and entry level dSLR’s (including the D600), and seems to have all but abandoned the high end dSLR’s, except for the D800. It seems that they are preoccupied with the mirrorless cameras, which I think will compete with the Coolpix line, and will not be a substitute for the dSLR. Still waiting to see a replacement for the D300s and/or the D7000.<br /><br />While they are playing around with these low end units, Canon may well eat their lunch, and grab a big lead in technology. So, I continue to wait to see what gets released next.</p>

<p>Look at the numbers above. 17 million compact sales, and of the DSLR 7 million, likely 6.5 million or more of those were the so called low end versions. It is we amateurs who keep the company afloat so of course that is where Nikon will focus their attention. That's not to say the very few professionals who select the brand are unimportant, but they do not pay the bills. Take your professional $20,000 kit on a global photo tour, publish the results and several million of us will identify with the brand at $500 each. </p>