UPDATE 2-Sony seen posting first op loss in 14 yrs -Nikkei

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TOKYO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Sony Corp (6758.T) is expected to post an operating loss of about 100 billion yen ($1.1 billion) for 2008/09, the Nikkei business daily reported, far short of the company forecast for a profit of 200 billion yen.

The operating loss -- the first in 14 years for the maker of Bravia flat TVs and PlayStation 3 video game consoles -- could be double that, depending on inventory conditions in the January-March quarter, the Nikkei said it had learned.

Analysts on average see an annual profit of 18.5 billion yen, a poll of 18 brokerages by Reuters Estimates showed.

Sony spokeswoman Mami Imada said the loss figure was speculation and declined to comment further on the report, which was also appeared in Kyodo News and other media. The company is scheduled to announce its quarterly earnings results on Jan. 29.

Sony shares (SNE.N) fell 1.9 percent to $23.10 on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday.

In October, Sony forecast a full-year operating profit of 200 billion yen for the year to March 31, down from 475.2 billion yen in 2007/08.

In December, it said it would cut 16,000 jobs, curb investment and pull out of some businesses to save $1.1 billion a year as the global recession hits demand for its products.

The loss would be only the second since Sony went public in 1958 and the first caused by troubles in its mainstay electronics business, the Nikkei said.