Core Viewpoint - Panasonic Holdings has reduced its full-year operating profit forecast by 13.5%, primarily due to an anticipated decline in profits from its energy unit that supplies batteries to Tesla and other automakers [1] Group 1 - The forecast cut indicates significant challenges within Panasonic's energy division, which is crucial for its overall profitability [1] - The reduction in profit expectations is linked to the performance of the energy unit, highlighting its importance in the company's financial health [1]

Core Viewpoint - Panasonic Holdings has reduced its full-year operating profit forecast by 13.5% primarily due to a decline in profit from its energy unit, which supplies batteries to Tesla and other automakers [1][2]. Financial Performance - The revised operating profit forecast for Panasonic is now 320 billion yen ($2.12 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 2026, down from the previous expectation of 370 billion yen [1]. - The energy unit's operating profit saw a dramatic decline of 96.4%, reporting only 1.2 billion yen for the second quarter ending September, compared to the same period last year [3]. Market Conditions - The forecast adjustment reflects the impact of U.S. tariffs, lower-than-expected sales volumes, reduced benefits from U.S. federal tax credits for the automotive battery sector, and higher-than-anticipated restructuring costs [2]. - Panasonic has also reduced its automotive battery sales projection for North America by 13% to 40 gigawatt hours (GWh) for the fiscal year 2025/26, citing worsening EV market conditions in the U.S. [4]. Industry Context - LG Energy Solution, a competitor, has also lowered its earnings guidance, predicting a mid-single-digit percentage decline in 2025 sales due to the expiration of U.S. tax credits for electric vehicle purchases, which contrasts with its previous growth expectations of 5% to 10% [3].