Originally posted by MikePerham Sales were down compared to the same period last year, however, profits were up, in fact the camera division made a profit, and that augers well for Pentax when the economy starts to get going again.
Here is a direct quote for Hoyo's annual report about Pentax and it say they lost money; "Pentax
Pentax posted net sales of ¥122,190 million and an operating loss of ¥11,572 million. Although megapixel imaging capable endoscope systems performed well, overall medical endoscope sales were down due to the effects of foreign currency movements. In digital cameras, both
SLR and compact camera sales dropped as a result of
drastically lower demand and intensifying price competition.
Although medical-use endoscopes contributed to profits, the slump in the digital camera business, as well amortization of goodwill following the merger, resulted in an
operating loss for the Pentax business in the fiscal year under review. "
In other words the camera division of Pentax sucked the profit right out of the entire Pentax group!