For years, this company was an exciting pioneer. Sony's 1957 TR-63 Radio was the device credited with launching the entirely new industry of consumer micro-electronics. The 1970s and '80s saw the advent of Walkman products. Then came the Trinitron TV.

However, that kind of game-changing success has lately eluded Sony. To be sure, Sony stock has risen 19% this year. It closed Thursday trading at $29.34 a share, exactly as it had started. The company's sensor business has slowed, partly due to tapering demand for smartphones. In recent years, the company's has relied heavily on PlayStation console sales.