Global shipments of LCD panels rose nearly 38 percent last year led by sales of laptop PCs and LCD TVs, but the outlook for 2008 has been dimmed by economic uncertainty in the U.S. However in vendors are predicting an upturn as due to football and the upcoming Bejing Olympics in August.
Shipments of LCD panels used in all products rose to 371 million units last year, up from 270 million in 2006, according to Witsview Technology, an LCD industry researcher based in Taipei. Shipments fell across all major segments in December, the traditional time of year when major holiday shopping ends in places such as North America and Europe.
LCD TV panel shipments slowed 12.2 percent month-to-month in December to 7.9 million units. Sales of LCD panels used in computer monitors fell 3.6 percent in December, while laptop PC panels slipped by just 3.8 percent.
