Japan's Sharp expects earnings to improve in second half

Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp Corporation expects earnings to improve in the second half of fiscal year ending March 31, mainly as orders received from South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. boost profits, hoping to meet a condition of bank loans, local press reported on Tuesday.The earnings are bolstered by higher exports of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels with its indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) technology, including new 32-inch screens for Samsung as well as for smartphones, along with the weaker Japanese yen that can help the manufacture to compete overseas, the daily Asahi Shimbun said.The report added that the operating profit is also spurred by the company's continued cost reduction efforts including pay cuts for its staff.In the three months to December, Sharp already posted an operating profit of 2.6 billion yen (about 28 million U.S. dollars) , compared with a loss of 24.4 billion yen a year ago.