Analyst Brian White with Topeka Capital Markets believes Sharp will begin LCD screens to Foxconn in this year’s third quarter in preparation for a full-volume production of a new Apple-branded HDTV. The information reportedly comes from a Sharp executive as well as other sources with internal knowledge of the company’s plans. Originally, Foxconn was scheduled to receive panels in the fourth quarter, but Apple has set a new timetable.
According to the report, Apple’s new full-featured television could hit the market just before the holiday shopping season, drumming up a number of buyers. While said Topeka would keep monitoring the data points and inform investors if they changed.
After Foxconn invested over $800 million in Sharp, relationship between the two companies has grown much closer. Apple’s key manufacturing partner was particularly interested in putting money into a Sakai-based LCD facility, whose technology is allegedly better than that of Samsung. Both have reportedly fought for the right to enter the supply chain for the upcoming Apple TV. Foxconn is said to be planning on deeper investments in Sharp.
On White’s opinion, Apple has everything ready for debuting an innovative TV product, which is expected to be especially lucrative for the California electronics giant. The company could allegedly generate $10 billion in revenue on a yearly basis by controlling just 2% of the LCD TV sector. Investors could see earnings per share increase between $1.50 and $2.
