Can Foxconn Unlock Sharp's True Potential?

As I detailed back in November in Sharp: A Cautionary Tale, the former electronics giant Sharp (OTCPK:SHCAY; OTCPK:SHCAF) has seen better days. Over the past several years, Sharp's financial statements have been like a disaster zone of its own making. Predictably, Sharp's most recent and final full year performance statement was also disastrous. The strength of the yen1 and weakness of the global economy will continue to make sure of that. However, on March 30th, 2016, after state-sponsored Japan Display Inc. (OTC:JPDYY) of the Innovation Network Group failed to make a competing offering, Hon Hai/Foxconn Technology Group (OTC:HNHAF; OTC:HNHAY; OTC:FXCOF) finalized a much talked-about deal to acquire a 66% stake in Sharp - priced at 3.5 billion2, about 2.75 billion less than its original offer but 1.22 billion higher than Sharp's market cap at the time of the purchase.