Sharp LCDs help the bottom line

Earlier today, Sharp Corp., the Osaka-based consumer electronics manufacturer announced a small 0.8% profit drop this quarter. This drop was actually better than analyst expectations, as the street was forecasting a "sharper" loss.

Sharp is facing pressures of decreased demand for two of their key products: flash memory chips and small LCD screens used in mobile devices. So what's helping Sharp's bottom line? LCD televisions.

Sharp is currently the world's largest manufacturer of LCD televisions, which is good timing as demand for flat panel, high-definition sets continues to rise. Earlier this week in fact, Sharp announced that it was considering rasing output of LCD screens. Considering semiconductor operating profit fell 46%, increased focus on LCD output seems like a no-brainer.