LCD TV panel price increase slows down in July

The increase in liquid crystal display (LCD) TV panel prices that started last year has slowed down in July this year, according to data from market research firm WitsView.

LCD TV panel prices only increased up to 0.3% from the first half of July (1 to 15) from the second half of June (16 to 30).

The is a further decrease from the rate of increase from the first half month of June to the second half of May.

The price of 75-inch (100 and 120Hz) panel in the first half of July was US$407, an increase of 0.2% from the second half of June. 65-inch panel price increased 0.3% to US$297 over the same time period.

Prices of 55-inch (100 and 120Hz), 50-inch, 43-inch (4K2K) and 32-inch were US$237, US$198, US$148 and US$88, respectively.

Despite the slowdown in the price increase, panel prices remain high compared to a year ago.

75-inch panel costed US$318 in the first half of June last year; 65-inch costed US$174, 55-inch US$113, 43-inch US$75 and 32-inch US$32,

Analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants has estimated that LCD price hike will halt starting in the second half of the year from oversupply and drop in demand for TVs in the US. Despite this, LCD companies will operate their factories at a high rate due to high margins from LCD panels, the firm had said.

Panel prices in the third quarter will likely remain flat as shortage in display driver ICs continue.

Meanwhile, price increase of LCD monitor and notebook panels also slowed down. Price of 27-inch monitor panel in the first half of July only increased up to 0.5% from the second half of June. Other smaller sizes increased by up to 1.4%. Prices of notebook panels over the same time period only increased up to 1.4%.