Sony Battery Recall may Hurt Company

[Jason]

Shares of Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) fell as much as 3 percent to a one-month low on Friday after Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said it would recall 1.8 million PC batteries, the second major recall involving Sony-made battery cells in 10 days.

The recalls are expected to have only a limited financial impact on the Japanese electronics maker, but in a potentially more significant development they are seen denting its brand image and shaking consumer confidence in its products, analysts say.

"Sony's brand image has been tainted. No doubt about it," said Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management.

You had to see this coming. Sony's Image Damaged