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Corning withdraws Q4, 2009 outlooks amid waning LCD glass demand
11/18/2008
(RTTNews) - Specialty glass maker Corning Inc. (GLW: News ) said Tuesday that it has withdrawn its previously issued financial outlook for the fourth quarter and 2009 because of waning demand for glass used in LCD televisions and desktop monitors.
"Panel makers, particularly those in Taiwan, have continued to reduce the utilization of their factories heading into the second half of this quarter in response to weakened retail demand for LCD televisions and desktop monitors", said Corning Chief Financial Officer Jim Flaws. "Demand in our wholly owned display glass business has dropped more precipitously than we expected just a few weeks ago. We are also seeing additional, but less severe, reductions in demand at Samsung Corning Precision Glass Co. Ltd., our equity company in Korea."
The Corning, New York-based company said it now expects fourth quarter sales to be below its prior guidance of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion.
The company also said it now expects fourth quarter earnings per share, excluding special items, to be at the low end or below its guidance range of $0.20 to $0.28.
Analysts polled by First Call / Thomson Financial currently expect the company to earn $0.25 per share on revenue of $1.33 billion for the fourth quarter.
Flaws said, "The retail environment and the LCD supply chain are both extremely uncertain. As a result, since the display business is a significant contributor to our overall results, we are unable to offer revised guidance for the fourth quarter or for 2009 at this time."
The company said it will make further cuts in LCD glass manufacturing capacity in the fourth quarter, which will impact gross margins in the display technologies segment and the company overall.
Corning also said it will record restructuring charges in the fourth quarter and the first half of 2009 as it adjusts capacity and fixed cost structure to reflect the lower demand.
Even though there are indications of a prolonged global recession, Corning said its strong financial position will allow the company to endure an extended downturn in the economy. The company said it has $3.2 billion in cash and short-term investments and $1.5 billion of debt, only $250 million of which is due in the next four years.
Source: RTT

