Universal Display to purchase emissive OLED patent holdings from Merck KGaA
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 06 2025
0mins
Should l Buy OLED?
Acquisition Announcement: Universal Display Corporation (UDC) has agreed to acquire OLED patent assets from Merck KGaA, which includes over 300 patents related to advanced OLED technology with an average remaining lifetime of about 10 years.
Strategic Alignment: The acquisition aligns with Merck KGaA's focus on enhancing charge transport and triplet host materials, which are crucial for improving the performance of OLED devices.
Impact on UDC's Portfolio: UDC's CEO, Steven V. Abramson, stated that this acquisition will enhance their OLED patent portfolio and support their innovation efforts in the growing OLED market.
Transaction Details: The deal will be executed by UDC Ireland Limited and is expected to close in January 2026, pending customary conditions.
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Analyst Views on OLED
Wall Street analysts forecast OLED stock price to rise
5 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 102.090
Low
150.00
Averages
174.75
High
194.00
Current: 102.090
Low
150.00
Averages
174.75
High
194.00
About OLED
Universal Display Corporation is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications. OLED displays can be used in the mobile phone, television, monitor, wearable, tablet, notebook and personal computer, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and automotive markets. It has an intellectual property portfolio surrounding its existing PHOLED technologies and materials for both displays and lighting products, which the Company markets under the UniversalPHOLED brand. It licenses its proprietary technologies, including UniversalPHOLED phosphorescent OLED technology that can enable the development of energy-efficient and eco-friendly displays and solid-state lighting. The Company also develops and offers UniversalPHOLED materials. Its additional OLED technologies include FOLED Flexible OLEDs and OVJP Organic Vapor Jet Printing.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Legal Basis: The Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not grant the president the authority to impose tariffs, emphasizing that only Congress holds this power during peacetime, leaving unresolved issues regarding over $130 billion in tariffs already collected.
- Market Reaction: The ruling intensifies competitive pressures on small-cap firms that previously benefited from elevated import duties, reflecting investor concerns about domestic economic stability amid increasing foreign competition.
- Macroeconomic Context: The U.S. GDP growth rate for Q4 2025 was just 1.4%, significantly below the expected 3%, while the Personal Consumption Expenditures index rose by 0.4%, indicating rising inflationary pressures that further affect market sentiment.
See More
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- Record Financial Performance: Universal Display Corporation achieved a record revenue of $651 million in 2025, with operating income of $249 million and net income of $242 million, translating to $5.08 per diluted share, showcasing strong execution and customer engagement in the OLED market.
- R&D and Market Opportunities: The company continues to invest in R&D, with global OLED shipments projected to exceed 1.4 billion units by 2030, particularly in IT, automotive, and foldable devices, marking a new phase for the industry.
- Shareholder Returns and Dividend Increase: The company repurchased approximately 454,000 shares for $53 million and raised the quarterly cash dividend to $0.50 per share, reflecting confidence in future growth opportunities and commitment to shareholders.
- 2026 Outlook: Revenue for 2026 is expected to range between $650 million and $700 million, with slightly lower gross margins anticipated due to rising raw material costs, yet management remains confident in the commercial potential of blue OLED technology.
See More
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- Full Liquidation: Peregrine Investment Management disclosed on February 4, 2026, that it fully liquidated its position in Universal Display by divesting 50,560 shares valued at $7.26 million, reducing its stake from 3.6% to 0% of its portfolio.
- AUM Decline: This liquidation resulted in a decrease in Peregrine's 13F assets under management (AUM) from $161.04 million, reflecting an overall drop of $42.5 million, or about 20%, in the firm's total assets during the fourth quarter of 2025.
- Performance Decline: Universal Display faced a challenging end to 2025, with a 14% year-over-year decline in sales and a 34% drop in net income, alongside an almost 20% decrease in stock price during the last quarter, indicating weakened market competitiveness.
- Strategic Shift: Despite Peregrine's liquidation, Universal Display is actively pursuing the acquisition of OLED patent assets from Merck KGaA, which is expected to enhance its technological capabilities and potentially improve performance in the future.
See More
Peregrine Investment Management Fully Liquidates Universal Display Shares
- Complete Liquidation: Peregrine Investment Management disclosed in a February 4, 2026 SEC filing that it fully liquidated its 50,560 shares of Universal Display, with an estimated transaction value of $7.26 million, reducing its stake from 3.6% to 0%, indicating a significant loss of confidence in the stock.
- Performance Decline: Universal Display reported a disappointing fourth-quarter performance in 2025, with sales down 14% year-over-year and earnings declining by 34%, which may have influenced Peregrine's decision to divest, reflecting challenges in the company's competitive position.
- Patent Acquisition Progress: Despite performance pressures, Universal Display announced in November its agreement to acquire OLED patent assets from Merck KGaA, with an average remaining lifetime of approximately 10 years for the patents, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and potential future growth.
- Asset Management Shrinkage: Peregrine's assets under management decreased by $42.5 million, or about 20%, in the fourth quarter of 2025, suggesting a need for a strategic reassessment of its investment portfolio, with Universal Display's underperformance likely prompting this reevaluation.
See More
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- Earnings Announcement Date: Universal Display Corporation is set to release its Q4 earnings on February 19th after market close, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.26, reflecting a 31.3% year-over-year increase, indicating sustained profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q4 is $173.23 million, representing a 6.7% year-over-year growth, which highlights OLED's robust growth amidst recovering market demand and may set a solid foundation for future performance.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, OLED has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 38% of the time, demonstrating its reliability and adaptability in meeting earnings forecasts.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates and one downward revision, with revenue estimates also seeing no upward revisions and one downward revision, indicating a cautious market sentiment regarding OLED's future performance.
See More
Exploring Investment Opportunities in Universal Display
- Market Trend Analysis: In this episode of Motley Fool Scoreboard, expert analysts discuss market trends surrounding Universal Display, providing in-depth insights into the OLED industry that help investors identify potential opportunities.
- Investment Opportunity Discussion: The episode highlights Universal Display's position in the OLED market, with analysts suggesting that the company could benefit from future technological advancements and increasing market demand, thereby attracting investor interest.
- Stock Price Dynamics: As of January 7, 2026, Universal Display's stock price stood at 4.65%, reflecting a cautiously optimistic market sentiment regarding its future performance, prompting investors to closely monitor related developments.
- Video Content Sharing: Released on February 5, 2026, the video aims to provide viewers with the latest market analysis and investment advice, fostering a better understanding of OLED technology and aiding investment decisions.
See More
