AU Optronics (AUO) has announced a plan to issue euro convertible bonds (ECBs) worth US$800 million for equipment purchase, and it has also released a profit warning for the third quarter of 2010, saying that the performance will be lower than the second quarter's because of significant decreases in LCD panel prices.

It is understood that AUO originally planned to issue only US$600 million worth of ECBs, but later decided to expand the amount to US$800 million.

Regarding its third-quarter performance, AUO revealed that declines in panel prices affected its gross margin, and the company expects third-quarter results to be significantly lower than those of the second quarter.

AUO is scheduled to hold an investors conference for the third quarter on October 27.

AUO also commented on an ongoing antitrust investigation. AUO said that the European Commission has not yet made decisions in its antitrust investigation of several LCD manufacturers, including AUO. The European Commission is expected to unveil the findings in October-November at the earliest.