Sharp Corp.'s expected first-quarter loss may deepen skepticism that demand for smartphone displays will fuel a recovery strong enough to meet its full-year profit target.
The company on Friday will probably post an operating loss of ¥19.4 billion for the three months ended June 30, according to the average of five analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
The shortfall will make it difficult for Sharp, which supplies LCD panels to Apple Inc. among other clients, to reach its ¥80 billion profit goal for the year to next March, according to Barclays, Citigroup and Nomura.