Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. (TPE:2354) and Sharp Corporation (PINK:SHCAY) (TYO:6753) will continue to work on resolving their differences regarding the investment term even after the deadline has passed.
There was a one-year deadline for both companies in order to arrive at the decision regarding the investment terms in a bid to save Japan’s Sharp, which is reeling under financial crisis. However, according to a source both the companies failed to reach on any conclusion regarding the investment terms.
Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. (TPE:2354) was seeking to acquire a 9.9 percent stake in the Japanese firm for 66.9 billion yen ($709 million). However, the company deviated from its agreed price and wished to pay less because the price of Sharp was continuously declining.
In March 2012, Sharp Corporation (PINK:SHCAY) (TYO:6753) made an announcement that Foxconn group companies will acquire 9.9 percent stake and will pay 66.9 billion yen ($709 million) in return.
Terry Gou, founder of Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd. (TPE:2354) invested his own 66.9 billion yen to acquire a stake in the Osaka- based TV panel unit. He later changed its name to Sakai Display Products Corp.
The Osaka-based company said in a statement today that it did not receive payment from the Taiwanese electronics group and will now review the amount and terms, including examining other funding methods.
There are other parties who are ready to invest in Sharp Corporation (PINK:SHCAY) (TYO:6753) in a bid to keep the company going. Sharp entered in to a partnership in December with Qualcomm to provide the chip maker with low power displays using sharp’s IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology and Qualcomm-subsidiary Pixtronix’s MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) displays. Under the agreement, Sharp will receive $120 million from the QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) partnership. Sharp will be given a whole of the investment amount agreed upon even after missing the deadline.
South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is also planning to invest $111 million in exchange for a 3 percent stake in the Japanese firm Sharp. The motive behind the investment is to “build up mutual trust” in the liquid crystal display business and to prevent troubled Sharp from falling to the ground.
For the full 2012 fiscal, the net loss for Sharp Corporation (PINK:SHCAY) (TYO:6753) came in at 376 billion yen and has estimated that this loss will increase to 450 billion yen for the fiscal year 2013.
There have been no significant results even after one year of deadline has passed, and according to sources familiar with the talks, chances are very slim of both the companies arriving at a consensus.
