Sharp forecasts recovery on 3D panels

By Robin Harding

Sharp returned to profit in the year to March 2010 and forecast a further recovery in the coming year because of growing demand for its 3D liquid crystal display panels.

The Osaka-based electronics company made a Y52bn ($554m) operating profit, reversing a Y55bn operating loss last year, and Y4.4bn in net income. Sharp forecast an operating profit of Y120bn this year – still well below its average operating profit of Y171bn in the four years before the global recession.

Sharp’s results highlight the recovery in demand for consumer electronics such as TVs but also how far companies still have to travel to return to peak profits.

Sharp’s strongest businesses are the LCD panels at the heart of modern televisions, solar panels, and TVs and mobile phones for the Japanese domestic market.

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