TrendForce has released the latest panel quotations for early February. Due to the effective production control strategies implemented by panel manufacturers, there is an expectation of gradually stimulating panel demand. It is anticipated that TV panel prices will return to an upward trend in February. Details are as follows:

• TV

From the perspective of panel suppliers, with the reduction in working days and the Lunar New Year holiday in February, it is expected that the average utilization rate will fall below 60%. Coupled with the relatively low TV panel inventory in the supply chain, the production control strategies of panel manufacturers have been effective. There is an anticipation of gradually stimulating the recovery of TV panel demand.

Meanwhile, the upstream supply issues with polarizing film materials have exacerbated, and it is expected that TV panel prices will return to an upward trend in February. Currently, it is expected that 32-inch, 43-inch, and 50-inch panels will increase by 1 USD, 55-inch by 2 USD, and 65-inch and 75-inch by 3 USD in February.

• Monitor

Although monitor panel demand is in the off-season, due to panel production cuts, unstable conditions in the shipping industry, and supply issues with polarizing film materials, some customers are observed to be willing to increase orders to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, with the established upward trend in TV panel prices in February, panel manufacturers are more confident, and it is expected that open-cell panels will increase by 0.1 to 0.2 USD. Panel module prices, however, are expected to remain overall stable.

• Notebook

Notebook panel demand is still in the off-season in the first quarter, and with sluggish demand, brand customers continue to request panel manufacturers to maintain the trend of price reductions. Different panel manufacturers respond differently to this pressure. Newer entrants are actively seeking to expand market share, leading to a more aggressive pricing strategy, putting pressure on existing panel manufacturers. In this competitive situation, notebook panel prices are not easily expected to see a comprehensive stabilization. In February, only TN models are expected to maintain a stable trend, while FHD IPS models are expected to decrease by 0.1 USD, and 16:10 models are expected to decrease by 0.2 to 0.3 USD.

According to the latest panel price data released by TrendForce in late December, due to subdued demand at the year-end, prices for panels in the TV, monitor, and notebook (NB) segments have all experienced declines. Details are as follows:

TV Panel:

As we approach the year-end, with less-than-ideal results from the Black Friday promotions, there’s only a modest demand rebound observed for channel-owned brands with better sales performance. Major first-tier brands continue to adjust their panel order demands.

However, panel manufacturers are actively controlling output and inventory levels through production cuts. They even announced a nearly two-week annual preventive maintenance during the Lunar New Year in the first quarter of the coming year to ease the pressure of falling prices, while creating an atmosphere conducive to a potential reversal in panel prices.

Due to the signs of an expanding production cut, the current observed decline in TV panel prices in December is comparable to November, with a $2 decline for 32″ and 43″, a $3 decline for 50″, a $2 decline for 55″, and a $3 decline for 65″ and 75″.

Monitor Panel:

For monitor panels, demand has remained weak throughout the fourth quarter. Panel manufacturers had only made slight concessions in prices for high-end models in the past few months. However, entering December, the pressure of price declines has extended to mainstream panel specifications. To maintain shipping momentum, some panel manufacturers have noticeably softened their pricing stance. The observed decline in December is expected to be $0.2 for 23.8″ Open Cell panels and $0.1 for 21.5″, 23.8″, and 27″ panels.

NB Panel:

In terms of notebook panels, demand has significantly weakened in the fourth quarter. Faced with the pressure to maintain shipping momentum, panel manufacturers are experiencing changes in the previously stable panel prices over the past few months. As a result, buyers are beginning to have more negotiating power.

Observing panel prices in December, apart from 11.6″ and 14″/15.6″ TN models maintaining stability due to lower prices and limited supply, prices for 14″/15.6″ IPS models are expected to see a slight decline of $0.1.

TrendForce’s late-November panel price update indicates an ongoing decrease in TV panel prices, influenced by subdued demand and ongoing negotiations. In contrast, prices for mainstream-sized MNT and NB panels remain steady.

• TV Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, TV panel shipments have noticeably weakened, with continuous price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Major TV brands have been consistently adjusting order demands since the latter half of the third quarter.

Faced with sluggish demand, panel manufacturers are attempting to slow down the decline in panel prices by expanding the scale of production cuts. The expected decline in TV panel prices for the entire month of November is anticipated to be comparable to the early estimates of the month.

Specifically, 32″, 43″, 50″, and 55″ panels are expected to decrease by USD 2 dollars, while 65″ and 75″ panels are expected to decrease by USD 3 dollars, and 85″ panels are expected to decrease by USD 5 dollars by the end of this month.

• MNT Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, there is a noticeable decline in demand for MNT panels. Some brand customers are beginning to request a reduction in panel prices. However, panel manufacturers are attempting to alleviate the overall price pressure by adjusting product combinations.

Mainstream specification panel prices are holding steady, with a slight decrease in prices for high-end specification panels.

It is anticipated that the prices of mainstream-sized MNT panels will remain stable in November, while larger-sized high-end models may experience a potential decline.

• NB Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, there is a sustained weakening in demand for NB (Notebook) panels. There is a significant divergence in pricing perspectives between buyers and sellers.

Some brand customers believe that panel prices should start to decline, while panel manufacturers insist on maintaining stable prices. However, panel manufacturers are inclined to provide certain purchasing-scale customers with private concessions.

Therefore, it is expected that NB panel prices will remain stable in November at the current stage.

Read more

• [Insights] Early November Price Update: TV Panels Drop, Monitor and NB Panels Steady

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