"...The profit margins will go up further during the second half of this year when the 7-2 LCD production line is ramped up..."

Shipments of PDP TVs climbed 97.6% on year to 58,000 sets, with those of LCD TVs jumping 43.3% to 418,000 units. Shipments of CRT TVs fell 44.4% to 133,000 sets.

Speaking at a Tokyo hotel packed with more than 7,000 shareholders, Stringer stood with Sony President Ryoji Chubachi, and assured stockholders Sony, founded in 1946, was 'on track' for a turnaround.

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The LC-32HT2 AQUOS will be available in the United States this fall.

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Trident Microsystems, which makes chips for televisions, sank Tuesday as a brokerage voiced fresh concern about the market for liquid crystal display TVs.

Circuit City Stores, which sells consumer electronics, reported a US$6.4 million profit on Monday for the first quarter, exceeding Wall Street's expectations, as it benefited from store improvements and sales of flat-panel TV.