Electronics giant Sony Corporation, whose shares jumped earlier this week on speculation that Apple was interested in the firm, swung back to profit during the July to September quarter.

Sony reported a group net profit of 31.1 billion yen as compared with a loss of 26.3 billion yen in the corresponding period of last year.

Videogame division reported a profit of 13 billion yen. It was the fourth consecutive quarter for the division to remain in the black.

Considerable improvement in videogame business helped the firm to lift its full-year outlook, but it warned that cut-throat competition in the TV market can drag its TV operations into the red.

It may be noted here that the Sony TVs, which feature Google's Web-surfing system, costs $200 to $400 higher than similar TVs from other manufacturers. The considerable difference in prices may dampen sales.

Sony is still targeting to sell 25 million TVs during 12 months to March. The figure represents an increase of 60 per cent from previous year.

The firm expects revenue of 7.40 trillion yen for the full fiscal year ending March 2011. The figure is down from its July estimate of 7.60 trillion yen.

Shares in Sony lost 28 per cent during the three months to the end of September.