OLED is a display technology that enables thin, efficient, flexible and bright displays, TVs and lighting devices. OLED displays offer the world's best image quality - and enable flexible, foldable and rollable displays (see more here - What is OLED?).
The OLED market is already a multi-billion dollar market, led by Samsung, LG Display, BOE and others. It is estimated that OLED displays generated around $40 billion in revenues in 2021 and the market is expected to continue growing in the future.
OLED stocks
There are dozens of companies developing and producing OLEDs, from display makers such as Samsung, LG and BOE to smaller R&D startups and IP companies.
For public investors interested in the OLED market, there are several good options, includingL
- Universal Display Corporation: UDC is an OLED pioneer, and holds many of the key patents in the industry (mostly around efficient phosphorescent OLED emitters). Virtually all AMOLED displays on the market adopt UDC's PHOLED materials, and the company experienced very fast growth in revenue in recent years. Universal Display's stock ticker is OLED, you can see the OLED share price here.
- eMagin: eMagin is an OLED microdisplay pioneer, and has been developing and producing such displays for many years, focusing on the defense market and recently also on the consumer VR/AR market. eMagin's stock ticker at the NYSE is EMAN.
- OLED display makers: OLED display makers can be a good investment opportunity - especially companies that have a focus on OLED displays - such as Samsung Display (held by Samsung Electronics), LG display, Visionox, BOE Display and more.
- OLED equipment makers: There are several public equipment companies (for example Aixtron, or Coherent) that offer OLED production systems. These companies could be a good investment opportunity to investors who believes a new wave of OLED capacity expansion is near.
For private investors who want to find early-stage startups, we offer the OLED crowdfunding arena, a new and innovative service!
We'll be happy to hear your thoughts on OLED investing - join the discussion at our investment forum!
The latest OLED stock news:
UDC reports its financial results for Q2 2022, lowers its 2022 guidance
Universal Display reported its latest financial results, for Q2 2022, with revenues of $136.6 million, an operating profit of $53.3 million and a net income of $41.5 million. These results were less than expected by analysts. The company ended the quarter with $834 million in cash and equivalents.
UDC's 2021 revenues were a record high of $554 million, with a net profit of $184 million. UDC expects the OLED industry to continue to grow in 2022, and the company believes its revenues in 2022 will be between $625 million to $650 million (an increase of 12% - 17%).
Samsung reports its financial results for Q2 2022, with excellent earnings from SDC, confirms it is developing microdisplay technologies
Samsung Electronics reported its financial results for Q2 2022, with record second-quarter revenues of 77.2 trillion Won ($59 billion USD).
Samsung Display reported record second-quarter revenue and operating profit for mobile displays driven by solid demand from major customers. Samsung specifically mentions the growth in its laptop OLED business. Performance in the large panel business was weaker due to initial ramp-up costs of Samsung's QD-OLED displays, and a decline in LCD prices.
LG Display reports a loss in Q2 2022, to continue and unwind its LCD business
LG Display announced its financial results for Q2 2022, with a net loss of around $290 million (down from a profit of around $320 million a year ago) as the company's sales dropped 14.6%.
LGD says that the loss was due to weak demand for TV and IT displays, coupled with supply chain issues and the lockdowns in China. LGD says it plans to continue and reduce its LCD TV business, and to stop LCD production in Korea in 2023, earlier than expected before. The company will focus instead on OLED TV panels and the automotive market, and will aim to open up new markets for transparent and gaming OLEDs.
eMagin reports its Q2 2022 preliminary financial resulst
OLED microdisplay maker eMagin announced its preliminary financial results for the 2nd quarter of 2022. The company says it expects revenues to grow 11-14% compared to Q2 2022, to reach $7 to $7.2 million.
eMagin says that its strong performance was due to strength in its military business, as well as increased demand from medical companies. The strong sales were partially offset by a decrease in contract revenues. As of June 30, 2022, the Company’s backlog of open orders was $14.3 million, including $12.8 million of orders that were shippable within 12 months.
Samsung Display acquires TADF material developer Cynora
According to reports, Samsung Display acquired OLED material developer Cynora, for about $300 million. Samsung acquires just the IP and technology, and Cynora terminated its entire workforce a couple of weeks ago. Samsung is already an investor in Cynora, and so is LGD.
Cynora has been low on cash (its last financing round was in 2019), according to reports, and did not manage to find new investors, and so the company opted to be sold to Samsung. The reported sum seems to be rather high for an emergency exit, and some later reports quotes much lower sums, perhaps even around $30 million or so.
eMagin has been awarded with a $2.5 million US Army project to develop a direct-emission OLED microdisplay prototype
OLED microdisplay maker eMagin has been awarded a $2.5 million US Army contract towards a high-brightness, full-color direct-emission OLED microdisplay prototype project. The project includes the development of manufacturing process technologies
The prototype that eMagin will develop will be used in AR systems that provide both sensor and tactical data to soldiers.
EverDisplay updates on its latest fab expansion project, its latest financial results and the effect of the COVID outbreak in Shanghai
China-based AMOLED producer Everdisplay is progressing with its expansion plan for its 6-Gen production line in Shanghai. EDO's new line, which will have a monthly capacity of 15,000 substrates is progressing as planned, with trial production expected in 2023.
It seems as if EDO is targeting automotive applications for its latest AMBLED displays. The company already started developing OLEDs for automotive applications in 2015, and now the company is now stepping up its efforts, as large displays are entering the automotive market.
Is Valve one of eMagin's consumer VR/AR customers?
OLED microdisplay maker eMagin has shown its latest 2.1" 4K (3600×4000) 120Hz OLED microdisplay prototype at SID Displayweek 2022.
As you can see in the image below (click to enlarge), the board says "STEAMBOAT", which lead some analysts to speculate that one of eMagin's VR customers is game developer Valve Corporation (as they publish the STEAM gaming platform).
eMagin reported strong Q1 2022 financial results
OLED microdisplay maker eMagin reported its financial results for Q1 2022, with a strong quarter. Revenues were $7.4 million (up 9% from 2021), as production increased 27% compared to 2021. The company's operating loss declined to $1.2 million ($2 million in Q1 2021), and its net loss was $0.1 million ($1.3 million adjusted for changes in warrant liability).
eMagin reported strong bookings, and an open orders backlog of $13.6 million.
UDC reported excellent financial results for Q1 2022
Universal Display reported its financial results for Q1 2022, with revenues of $150.5 million and a net income of $50 million. UDC's results were better than expected as the adoption of OLED displays increases in AR/VR, smartphones, foldables, TVs, IT and automotive markets.
UDC reiterated its estimation that it will be ready to introduce a commercial blue PHOLED material to the market in 2024.
