According to WitsView’s 1HJan A price survey by research company WitsView says , mainstream TV and notebook panels continued to fall respectively in 1HJan by 2-6 percent ($5-10) and 4-5 percent ($2-3), while monitor panels remained stable.
“The panel production cutbacks in 4Q08 and 1Q09 will render the rate in the production cutbacks to sharply outpace the decline in demand, thereby helping to clear away the panel inventory. As the current panel prices are already lower than the variable cost (material + direct labor), panel makers have little incentive to take orders,” said analysts.
Despite the offering of some rush orders, based on the current low utilization rates and ASPs, panel makers remain uninterested. Based on WitsView’s current market survey, there is a strong likelihood to see monitor panel prices staying flat in January.
