When will TFT-LCD panel prices bottom out?
by Calvin Shao, Taipei; Carrie Yu, DigiTimes.com
Market-research firm DisplayBank is claiming that prices for large-size TFT-LCD panels are expected to bottom out next month as there is no room for major South Korea panel makers, such as Samsung Electronics and LG.Philips LCD, to cut their 17-inch panel prices any further. However, other market research firms, such as DisplaySearch and Taiwan's Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA), are predicting that the market will not recover that quickly.
Large-size panel prices started slumping from mid-2004, and 17-inch monitor-panel quotes have already fallen below the cash cost of goods sold (with the cost of goods sold not including depreciation), DisplayBank explained. Before the prices began dropping, panel makers were able to take US$92 in profits for each 17-inch panel sold. However, as makers now make no profit on the panels, further price cuts are unlikely, DisplayBank added. more...
