consumer-electronics industry

The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show is in full swing, and manufacturers are unveiling their latest innovations despite the down economy. What's more, consumer-electronics makers are expecting to sell plenty of them.

Indeed, in what marks refreshing news amid doom-and-gloom headlines, the industry forecast looks healthy. Specifically, the consumer-electronics industry is projected to generate $171 billion in U.S. shipment revenues in 2009. That's according to the Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) semiannual industry forecast.

Panasonic and Sanyo are discussing a buyout. The Japanese consumer-electronics rivals started talks Friday that could create one of the biggest electronics companies in the world before the end of the year.

Sanyo's top shareholders include Goldman Sachs, Daiwa Securities, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking. The three banks would double their 2006 investment if Panasonic pays the $6.2 billion analysts estimate Sanyo is worth. The acquisition would be the largest ever in the Japanese consumer-electronics industry.