LCD TV panel shipments are expected to continue to increase in September 2010 as the global top-four TFT-LCD panel makers adjust their capacity to TV panels for higher profits. However, overall TV panel prices should continue to fall.
Taiwan-based LCD panel makers noted that the higher utilization rates of Korea-based makers are the reason behind their higher shipment volumes. Korea-based panel makers currently have utilization rates at about 90%, while utilization rates of Taiwan- and Japan-based makers are at about 60-70%.
Looking into September, Taiwan-based panel makers indicated that TV panel shipments are expected to increase sequentially for the month mainly because TV panels remain profitable and panel makers are providing price-cuts to boost their shipments.
With panel makers continuing to transfer capacity to TV panel production, prices are expected to continue to drop through to November. However, the overall situation will depend on total sales during China's National Day holidays in October, panel makers noted.
| Global top-4 LCD TV panel maker: Shipments by application, August 2010 (k units) |
| | Samsung | LG Display | CMI | AUO |
| LCD monitor | 3,200 | 3,600 | 3,520 | 2,150 |
| Notebook | 3,600 | 4,600 | 1,680 | 3,000 |
| Netbook | 1,250 | 1,380 | 350 | 700 |
| LCD TV | 4,550 | 4,390 | 3,690 | 3,040 |
Source: Companies, compiled by Digitimes, September 2010