[THE INVESTOR] Seoul Semiconductor is likely to pick up in the latter half of the year on improving light-emitting diode market conditions, according to Kiwoom Securities.

“The LED market will grow focused on demand from lighting and vehicle headlamps and rise an annual 26 percent by 2020,” the brokerage said in a stock report on Aug. 31.

Consequently, Seoul Semiconductor’s third quarter sales will reach 275.3 billion won (US$244.96), with operating profit hitting 18.7 billion won.

The report comes amid concerns that local LED manufacturers are suffering from intensifying competition from Chinese rivals, such as Epistar, the largest firm in China.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)