Strong growth for large-size NB panels in May

TAIPEI, TAIWAN: According to WitsView’s survey, worldwide large-size panel shipments in May reached 38.7 million units, a 6 percent MoM increase and a 25.4 percent growth on year. Panel makers raised the monitor price quotes in Apr08.

Yet, the rise occurred at a time when prices were already at a relatively high base level. Coupled by the downstream vendors’ already sufficient inventory and weak market demand stemming from the traditional slow season, there was little momentum behind further price increases in May.

Eventually, a 1~2 percent price increase was seen for some monitor sizes, while the remaining stood flat. Amid the weak price momentum, the global large-sized panel shipments still trended upwards during May.

Notebooks jumped by 11 percent to 12.5 million units. TV and monitor panels were up up 3.6 percent and 3.8 percent to 8.1 million and 18.2 million units, respectively.

The aggregated large size panel area shipments in May reached 5.9 million square meters, up 5.5 percent MoM and 32.7 percent YoY.

Notebook area shipments were up notably by 11.7 percent to 860K sqm. TVs were up 4.9 percent to 3 million sqm, contributed mainly by the 40” and 46”. Finally, monitors grew by 3.9 percent to 2.1 million sqm.

At the moment, the TFT LCD industry is still being affected by the traditional weak seasonality. Separately, downstream vendors currently have sufficient inventory, due to the earlier pull-in. Thus, the seller side has little price negotiating room.

According to WitsView 1HJun price survey, prices have slightly edged down. As June also marks the period for the mid-year inventory accounting, the

buyer side will certainly make adjustments to their respective inventory.

Whether in terms of the panel price or shipment, they will be under some pressure in June.