Sony Corp. (SNE – Snapshot Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2015 GAAP earnings per share of ¥70.36 (58 cents), which more than doubled from ¥22.94 in prior-year quarter.

Robust results were primarily attributable to improved operational performance across the major segments. Especially, high gain from sales of image sensors units remains the winner. Encouragingly, it is this leading electronics manufacturer's strongest earnings since 2007.

Inside the Headlines

For the quarter, Sony's sales and operating revenue were flat year over year at ¥1,808.1 billion ($14,820 million). Strong performance of the Devices segment and favorable foreign exchange impact collectively offset the weak Mobile Communications and Home Entertainment & Sound segments. On the other hand, net sales dipped 2.4% year over year to ¥1,503.3 billion ($12,322 million).

Nevertheless, operating income jumped 38.8% year over year to ¥96.9 billion ($794 million) fueled by rise in income from the Music segment and revenues from the Devices segment. Additionally, income before income taxes rocketed 102.9% year over year to ¥138.7 billion ($1,137 million).

During the quarter, Sony's realigned its business, with modification primarily involving repositioning of operations related to its All Other segment. Particularly, the All Other segment's Japanese disc manufacturing business and So-net Corporation and its subsidiaries operations, respectively, was registered in the Music segment and the MC segment, respectively.

Segmental Revenues

Sales and operating revenue of the Game & Network Services segment increased 12.1% year over year to ¥288.6 billion ($2,365 million) mainly aided by robust sales of PlayStation 4 software and its peripheral device units along with favorable foreign exchange rates impact.

Additionally, Devices' sales and operating revenue zoomed 35.1% year over year to ¥237.9 billion ($1,950 million) benefiting from strong sales of image sensors for mobile products and camera modules.