Sony dips below 1,000 yen for 1st time since 1980

   TOKYO (AP) -- Sony's stock price has fallen below 1,000 yen for the first time since 1980 in a symptom of its decline since huge success with the Walkman three decades ago.

   Sony Corp. has struggled to turn around its money-losing TV business for eight years and has been battered by competitors such as Apple and Samsung.

   Sony's shares dipped to 990 yen Monday before recovering slightly on the Tokyo market.

   Sony said it was first time its stock price had traded below 1,000 yen since August 1980 _ the year after it introduced the iconic Walkman portable cassette player to the world in 1979.

   The stock peaked at 16,950 yen in March 2000.

   Sony last month reported a record annual loss of $5.7 billion for its fourth straight year of red ink.