Taiwan's AU Optronics posts 1st profit in one year

TAIPEI Oct 22 (Reuters) - Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp (2409.TW), the world's No.3 LCD maker, posted its first net profit in one year on Thursday as growing demand for computers and flat-screen TVs boosted display sales and prices.

AU's turnaround has been widely expected by analysts, who are now scouring for signs of the sector's recovery momentum into the fourth quarter and next year as worries over demand and a supply glut loom.

AU (AUO.N), a supplier to brands such as Dell Inc (DELL.O), Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N) and Sony Corp (6758.T), booked a net profit of T$7.4 billion ($230 million) in July-September versus a profit of T$860 million a year ago. The company reported a net loss of T$6.6 billion in the second quarter.

Analysts had expected AU Optronics to earn T$6.69 billion in the third quarter, according to the latest consensus forecast by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

AU's Taipei-listed shares edged up 0.6 percent in the third quarter, lagging a 17 percent gain in the main market .TWII. (US$1 = T$32.3) (Reporting by Baker Li, Editing by Anshuman Daga)