Sony is likely to post an operating loss amounting to approximately $1.1 billion for the fiscal year that ends on March 31^st, instead of a previously forecast $2.2 billion profit, by virtue of both low sales and a stronger yen.

If the loss comes to actually be true, it will translate as the company’s first in fourteen years and its second one since Sony went public back in 1958.

According to a report issued by Reuters, the Nikkei Business Daily has predicted that Sony’s loss could even amount to $2.2 billion, depending on the company’s inventory build-up for the January-March time-frame.

Back in December, Sony revealed plans to cut 8,000 jobs, which translates as 4 percent of its work-force, aimed at reducing costs in order to save $1.1 billion annually. The positions would mostly come from Sony’s electronics business, while the layoffs process is expected to end by March 2010.

Moreover, an additional number of 8,000 temporary jobs are also scheduled to be cut by March 2010, but the latter are not officially part of Sony’s global work-force.

The report concerning the company’s loss comes after many have been recently speculating that Sony was planning a new restructuring campaign entailing even more layoffs and reorganizing or closing several high-profile divisions.

In February, Sony is expected to give out more detailed information with regards to the measures they would be taking.

Nevertheless, Sony Japan spokesperson Atsuo Omagari stated that the company was not considering further restructuring.

During November, Sony registered decreased hardware sales and is now striving to obtain profit from the PlayStation business.