Sony (SNE) stock was up 5.5% on the news in morning trading, but it has been lagging other media companies recently, such as News Corp. (NWSA, Fortune 500), Walt Disney (DIS, Fortune 500), Comcast (CMCSA), CBS (CBS, Fortune 500), and CNNMoney parent Time Warner (TWX, Fortune 500). All those companies are up more than 35% since the start of 2012, while Sony's shares, even with Friday's rise, have lost 30% of their value in that time. Sony's debt was cut to junk bond status late last year by rating agency Fitch.
Sony shares have also lagged behind personal electronics competitors such as Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500), which despite losing ground in recent months is still up more than 23% since the start of 2012.
The building at 550 Madison Avenue in Manhattan is the home to Sony Corporation of America as well as Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Sony Pictures Entertainment, among other units of the company. The company will continue to stay at the location for at least three years under terms of the sale.
Related: Sony Music's Bob Dylan copyright disaster
The building, known for its distinctive notched roof, is being purchased by a consortium led by The Chetrit Group, a New York-based owner of commercial properties. Sony expects to post a $685 million net gain on the sale. 
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