Firm makes profit on LCD panels - shock

IN AN ANNOUNCEMENT that shows the balance of power is changing in the flat panel market, LG Philips LCD said it has made a profit in its second financial quarter.

The firm turned in a net profit of KRW228.48 billion, compared to a loss in the same quarter last year of KRWW321.52 billion ($1=KRW920).

Average selling prices are predicted to rise in the third quarter which is good news for the flat panel maker, but bad news for people buying monitors and LCD TVs.

However, LG Philips, like all the panel makers, has to carry on investing in building fabs and so is caught in that endless process that traps other semi makers like Intel and AMD. It's all a bit like a human biped walking in what's basically a controlled fall. µ