TV Panel Demand Remains Weak, Prices Continue to Fall; Three Major Panel Applications Show Diverging Trends in July

Source: Liberty Times Net: www.ltn.com.tw, TrendForce: www.trendforce.com

(Weak TV Panel Demand and Falling Prices; Three Major Panel Segments Diverge in July)

Market research firm TrendForce released its late-July panel price report today. According to the report, weakened demand for TV panels continued through July, as some brand clients revised down their Q3 procurement orders. This led to a further decline in prices. However, as the second-half sales season approaches, panel makers are hopeful that brand clients will ramp up purchases in August and September, potentially stabilizing panel prices.

Fan Boyu, Vice President of Research at TrendForce, noted that TV panel demand remained sluggish in July. Brand clients are managing inventory by adjusting orders and using this as leverage in price negotiations. For panel makers, maintaining supply-demand balance through demand-driven production remains a top priority. Some panel makers also believe that with the year-end sales season coming, brands will inevitably increase procurement, which could lead to a recovery in demand and more stable prices.

Given the relatively weak demand in July, panel prices continued to fall. TrendForce estimates a $1 drop for 32-inch and 43-inch TV panels, a $2 drop for 50-inch and 55-inch panels, and a $3 drop for 65-inch and 75-inch models.

In the monitor panel market, although some panel makers were hoping for slight price increases in Q3, actual demand has already started to soften. Only a few panel sizes still experience supply gaps. With declining TV panel demand and falling prices, TrendForce predicts that July monitor panel prices—both Open Cell and panel module types—will remain flat.

As for notebook panels, Fan stated that some brand clients have turned more optimistic about Q3 demand. As a result, panel demand in July and August is expected to be relatively strong. However, panel makers, aiming to maintain long-term client relationships, are cautious about raising prices. In fact, they are still offering under-the-table discounts and promotional deals to secure orders.

Therefore, while notebook panel prices in July may appear stable on the surface, behind-the-scenes competition through various preferential terms remains fierce.