[Insights] Early July Panel Prices: TV Prices Decline, MNT and NB Prices Stay Flat

．TV

Entering July, TV panel demand weakens temporarily, as inventory stocking for the year-end peak season in August and September has yet to begin. Amid elevated cost pressures, brand customers continue to push panel makers for price reductions. Panel makers worked to keep prices stable in the second quarter, but as demand softens, they have become slightly more flexible on pricing and are expected to make modest concessions on TV panel prices. In July, 32-inch TV panel prices are expected to decline by US$1, 43-, 50-, and 55-inch panels by US$2, and 65- and 75-inch panels by US$3.

．MNT

Since July, monitor (MNT) panel demand has also begun to weaken. As early inventory builds have largely run their course, customers have started adjusting panel procurement, with overall MNT panel demand forecast to decline 6.7% QoQ. As demand softens and TV panel prices also begin to weaken, the factors supporting MNT panel price increases in the second quarter are gradually fading. As a result, MNT panel prices are expected to enter a consolidation phase, with buyers and sellers actively negotiating over pricing. Currently, panel makers continue to face high cost pressures and remain unwilling to make further price concessions. As a result, MNT panel prices are expected to remain flat across all sizes this month.

．NB

From July, notebook panel demand is expected to weaken more sharply as aggressive advance procurement by brand customers in the first half pulled demand forward. Demand from major brands is currently forecast to decline by double digits in the third quarter, putting significant pressure on panel makers’ shipments. Even so, panel makers continue to face extremely high notebook panel cost pressures, a situation increasingly recognized by brand customers. As a result, despite the sharp demand slowdown, panel makers are expected to have little room for further price concessions. Notebook panel prices are therefore expected to remain flat across all sizes in July.