Nintendo cuts income forecast

Despite continued strong sales across its software and hardware ranges, Nintendo has trimmed its income forecast due to the growing strength of the yen.

The Japanese company has reduced its operating income prediction to 530 billion yen (£4.1 billion) for the financial year ending March 31, instead of the previously estimated 630 billion yen.

Nintendo said in a statement that the reduction is the result of significant losses incurred due to unfavourable exchange rates caused by the appreciation of the yen.

The firm also expects to sell 26.5 million Wii units by the close of the financial year rather than the predicted 27.5 million, but it has increased DS sales forecasts from 30.5 million to 31.5 million.

Around 44.6 million Wiis and 96 million DS handhelds have now been sold worldwide since the consoles were launched.