Nintendo slashes Wii U sales outlook, forecasts annual operating loss

 

Nintendo has cut its full year Wii U sales guidance and forecast an unexpected operating loss for the business year ending March 31.



 

Global Wii U sales hit 3 million between the system's November 18 launch and the end of December 2012, while software sales came in at 11.7 million.

 

For the full year, Nintendo lowered its Wii U sales estimates from 5.5 million units to four million and said it expects to make an operating loss of 20 billion yen (£140 million). It previously forecast an operating profit of £140 million.

The company also cut its annual revenue forecast by 17.3 per cent, but raised its net profit expectations from six to 14 billion yen (£97.5 million).

Meanwhile, the platform holder also reduced its global 3DS sales projections. Nintendo previously expected to sell 17.5 million consoles by April, though now predicts 15 million.

Software is also expected to under-perform, with the sales target now down from 24 million units to 16 million for the Wii U, and 3DS software sales expected to land at 50 million.