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:
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.
Visionox plans to establish a $1.6 billion OLED module production line in Hefei
Visionox announced plans to build a new flexible and foldable OLED module production line, in Hefei. Total investment in the new project will amount to 11 billion Yuan (around $1.6 billion USD), and Visionox will receive financial assistance from the local government.
Visionox started trial production at its M4 flexible OLED module factory in Guangzhou in late 2020. The company's 2nd OLED line is located in Hefei and is already mass producing panels.
SNU Precision to launch a dPd OLED microdisplay deposition tool
According to SNU Precision's web site, the company is set to release a new tool that will enable the deposition of direct-emission OLED materials on silicon wafers for microdisplay panels.
SNU Precision says that the new tool will support both R&D settings and mass production, with support for 200 mm and 300 wafers. The tool will launch "soon" but SNU does not give more details.
Samsung Display reports $6.3 billion in revenue in Q1 2022
Samsung Electronics reported its financial results for Q1 2022. Revenues hit a new record of 77.78 trillion Won ($61.2 billion USD) and the operating profit was 14.12 trillion Won ($11 billion USD).
Samsung Display's revenues were 7.97 trillion Won ($6.3 billion USD) with an operating profit of 1.09 trillion Won ($900 million USD). Samsung says its mobile display earnings improved from 2021, led by strong demand for OLED smartphone displays and growing adoption of OLED displays in laptops and gaming devices.
TADF developer Noctiluca IPOs at the Poland NewConnect stock exchange
Poland-based TADF developer Noctiluca went public at the Polish NewConnect stock exchange last week. The company now trades under the NCL ticker.
Noctiluca did not raise any funds in this IPO, as it has no need for more funds at this stage, but this move will enable some stock holders to realize their funds and other to join as stakeholders in the company.
