Sony (NYSE: SONY) sets ¥500B buyback and cancels 184M shares

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Sony Group Corporation approved a new share repurchase facility and a cancellation of existing treasury stock as part of its capital policy. The company may repurchase up to 230 million common shares, equal to 3.89% of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock), for a maximum of ¥500 billion between May 11, 2026 and May 10, 2027 through open-market purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange based on a discretionary trading contract. Separately, Sony plans to cancel 184,494,319 treasury shares, representing 3.0% of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026, with a planned cancellation date of May 29, 2026. Sony also updated its policy to retain only the treasury stock expected to be used for stock compensation plans and, in principle, cancel amounts held in excess of that level.

Positive

• Substantial share repurchase capacity: Sony may buy back up to 230 million shares, or 3.89% of issued and outstanding shares (excluding treasury stock), for a maximum of ¥500 billion between May 11, 2026 and May 10, 2027.
• Treasury share cancellation: Sony plans to cancel 184,494,319 treasury shares, representing 3.0% of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026, with a planned cancellation date of May 29, 2026.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Equity capital markets analyst

Sony outlines sizable buyback capacity and a clear approach to treasury stock.

Sony Group authorized a facility to repurchase up to ¥500 billion of common stock, capped at 230 million shares or 3.89% of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock) during the period from May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027. Execution remains discretionary and may be partial or none.

In parallel, Sony plans to cancel 184,494,319 treasury shares, equal to 3.0% of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026, with cancellation scheduled for May 29, 2026. As of that April date, shares outstanding excluding treasury were 5,908,061,149 and treasury stock totaled 241,749,496 shares.

Sony also adjusted its policy to generally hold enough treasury stock to satisfy stock compensation plans and to cancel any excess. This provides a more explicit framework for future treasury share levels while leaving actual repurchase volume dependent on investment opportunities, market conditions and other factors described in the notice.

Key Figures

Maximum shares for repurchase: 230,000,000 shares Maximum repurchase amount: ¥500 billion Repurchase period: May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027 +4 more

7 metrics

Maximum shares for repurchase 230,000,000 shares Up to 3.89% of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock)

Maximum repurchase amount ¥500 billion Share repurchase facility limit

Repurchase period May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027 Duration of authorized buyback facility

Treasury shares to be cancelled 184,494,319 shares 3.0% of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026

Planned cancellation date May 29, 2026 Scheduled date to cancel treasury stock

Shares outstanding (excl. treasury) 5,908,061,149 shares As of April 30, 2026

Treasury stock balance 241,749,496 shares As of April 30, 2026

Key Terms

treasury stock, stock compensation plans, discretionary trading contract, Articles of Incorporation, +1 more

5 terms

treasury stock financial

"Sony has decided to cancel treasury stock as follows."

Treasury stock is shares that a company has bought back from the public and kept in its own control rather than retiring them. Think of it like a company holding its own tickets in a drawer: those shares no longer vote or receive dividends while held, but the company can reissue or retire them later; this reduces the number of shares available to outside investors and can boost per‑share earnings and influence ownership and stock price.

stock compensation plans financial

"Sony has introduced restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options as stock compensation plans"

discretionary trading contract financial

"Expected open market purchase through the Tokyo Stock Exchange based on a discretionary trading contract"

Articles of Incorporation regulatory

"pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act of Japan and Article 34 of Sony’s Articles of Incorporation"

A formal legal document filed with a government authority that creates a corporation and sets its basic rules — for example the company name, business purpose, how many ownership shares can exist, and who can receive legal notices. It matters to investors because it defines ownership structure, voting rights, and limits on liability, shaping who controls the company and how future shares or dividends can affect an investor’s stake; think of it as the company’s birth certificate and rulebook.

Companies Act regulatory

"Cancellation of Treasury Stock Pursuant to the Provision of Article 178 of the Companies Act"

Companies Act is the primary law that sets the rules for forming, running and winding up corporations, covering directors’ duties, shareholder rights, financial reporting, audits and insolvency. For investors it matters because those rules determine how transparent and accountable a company must be, what protections shareholders have, and how risks are managed—think of the Act as a rulebook and referee that helps ensure fair play and reliable information for investment decisions.

FAQ

What share repurchase has Sony (SONY) authorized in this notice?

Sony authorized a share repurchase facility of up to 230 million common shares for a maximum of ¥500 billion. This equals 3.89% of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock), and may be executed through open-market purchases between May 11, 2026 and May 10, 2027.

Over what period can Sony conduct this new share buyback program?

The share repurchase facility runs from May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027. During this period, Sony may conduct open-market purchases on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under a discretionary trading contract, and it may ultimately repurchase all, part, or none of the authorized amount.

How many treasury shares will Sony (SONY) cancel and when?

Sony plans to cancel 184,494,319 treasury shares of common stock. These shares represent 3.0% of the total number of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026, and the planned cancellation date is May 29, 2026.

What change did Sony make to its treasury stock policy?

Sony revised its policy to retain treasury stock expected for stock compensation and cancel any excess. Previously, it targeted an upper limit of about 3% of shares outstanding; now it focuses on optimizing holdings around expected stock compensation needs.

What was Sony’s treasury stock position as of April 30, 2026?

As of April 30, 2026, Sony had 5,908,061,149 shares outstanding excluding treasury stock and 241,749,496 treasury shares. These figures provide context for the planned cancellation of 184,494,319 treasury shares and the new repurchase facility.

Why is Sony establishing this share repurchase facility?

Sony established the facility to improve capital efficiency and support capital policy under changing business conditions. The company cites factors such as strategic investment opportunities, financial condition, share price, and offsetting dilution from stock compensation plans as reasons for enabling flexible repurchases.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 05/08/2026 - 10:07 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May 2026

Commission File Number: 001-06439

SONY GROUP CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN

(Address of principal executive offices)

The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,

Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	SONY GROUP CORPORATION (Registrant)
	By:	/s/ Lin Tao
		(Signature)
	Lin Tao
	Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 8, 2026

List of Materials

Documents attached hereto:

Notice Regarding the Establishment of a Facility for the Repurchase of Shares of Common Stock, and the Cancellation of Treasury Stock (Repurchase of Shares Under the Provision of Sony’s Articles of Incorporation Pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act, and Cancellation of Treasury Stock Pursuant to the Provision of Article 178 of the Companies Act)

May 8, 2026

Sony Group Corporation

Notice Regarding the Establishment of a Facility for the Repurchase of Shares of Common Stock, and the Cancellation of Treasury Stock

(Repurchase of Shares Under the Provision of Sony’s Articles of Incorporation Pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act, and Cancellation of Treasury Stock Pursuant to the Provision of Article 178 of the Companies Act)

Sony Group Corporation (“Sony”) approved, at the meeting of its Board of Directors held today, the establishment of a facility for the repurchase of shares of its own common stock pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act of Japan and Article 34 of Sony’s Articles of Incorporation, as follows.

In addition, pursuant to the decision by Sony’s Representative Corporate Executive Officer delegated by the Board of Directors, Sony has decided to cancel treasury stock as follows.

1. Reason for Establishing the Facility for the Repurchase of Shares

The following facility has been established for the purpose of enabling Sony to flexibly repurchase its own shares in consideration of factors such as opportunities for strategic investment, Sony’s financial condition and the price of its common stock as part of improving capital efficiency and implementing capital policy according to the business environment.

In addition, Sony has introduced restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options as stock compensation plans, and Sony plans to curb dilution of its shares by repurchasing shares to offset the securities to be delivered in connection with the stock compensation plans.

2. Facility for the Repurchase of Shares

(1)	Class of shares for repurchase	Common stock of Sony
(2)	Total number of shares for repurchase	230 million shares (maximum) (3.89% of total number of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock))
(3)	Total purchase amount for repurchase of shares	500 billion yen (maximum)
(4)	Period of repurchase	May 11, 2026 to May 10, 2027
(5)	Method of repurchase	Expected open market purchase through the Tokyo Stock Exchange based on a discretionary trading contract

Depending on investment opportunities, market environment and other factors, it is possible that no share repurchase, or a share repurchase of only a portion of the above, will be carried out.

3. Cancellation of treasury stock

(1)	Class of shares to be cancelled	Common stock of Sony
(2)	Total number of shares to be cancelled	184,494,319 shares (3.0% of total number of shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2026)
(3)	Planned cancellation date	May 29, 2026

4. Change in general policy regarding holdings of treasury stock

As disclosed in the announcement entitled “Notice Regarding the Status and Conclusion of Repurchase of Shares of Common Stock, and the Cancellation of Treasury Stock (Repurchase of Shares Under the Provision of Sony’s Articles of Incorporation Pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act) (Cancellation of Treasury Stock Pursuant to the Provision of Article 178 of the Companies Act)” dated March 18, 2020, Sony’s policy was to generally maintain its level of treasury stock under an upper limit of approximately 3% of the total number of shares of its common stock issued and outstanding by cancelling treasury stock in excess of that percentage.

Sony has now revised its policy, with the aim of optimizing the level of treasury stock held by it, to retain treasury stock expected to be used for delivery in connection with stock compensation plans, and, in principle, to cancel any treasury stock held in excess of that amount.

(For reference) Status of treasury stock as of April 30, 2026

Total number of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock)	5,908,061,149 shares
Number of treasury stock	241,749,496 shares

End of document