IT panel prices likely to stabilize in near-term

TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Based on WitsView’s 2HSep price survey, IT panels grew more stable. As panel makers face mounting financial pressures, the room for more price drops narrowed.

Meanwhile, mainstream TV panel prices continued to fall by 2~4 per cent ($10) in 2HSep, as panel makers tried to aggressively secure more orders.

In the run-up to China’s National Day holidays and year-end Christmas sales, downstream clients need to have their products roll off the production lines by September~October. Thus, more panel orders should be placed by them.

However, in contrast to the panel shipments in 2Q08, the demand in September is instead slightly weaker. Aside from the inventory problems, another key factor is the projection of a TFT-LCD market oversupply in 2009.

Thus, stricter inventory controls have been instead been implemented by the downstream clients in ensuring it remains in a healthy state. This has in turn led to a more conservative approach in the panel purchasing.

Source: WitsView