Japan
Hardware
- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. raised its earnings outlooks after strong profit growth during the October-December quarter on brisk sales of its Panasonic audiovisual products such as digital cameras, DVDhard-disc drive recorders and flat-screen televisions. The Japanese consumer electronics giant will spend more money than previously planned this fiscal year through March to restructure its operations. Matsushita posted a group net profit of 24.3 billion $225.6 million for the quarter covering the crucial year-end shopping season, up 8.4% from 22.4 billion $208 million a year earlier. Group operating profit jumped 48% to 70.9 billion $659.5 million from 48 billion $446.5 million, while group revenue rose 5% to...
