That compares with a consensus of 56.8 billion yen operating profit.

Operating profit in the year to March 2011 was 78.9 billion yen.

The company was forced to suspend production at two TV panel plants, including its state-of-the-art 10th generation factory at Sakai in April, after the March 11 earthquake triggered a plunge in demand and shortages of a gas used in panel production.

Like many of its rivals, Sharp had delayed its annual earnings guidance, as it weighed the impact of the disaster on consumption and its supply chain.

Copyright Reuters, 2011