4Q07 Panel Shipment Review: Panel shipments grew 3.4%, ASP for each panel up 8.5%.

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2008-01-28 18:02

Taiwan--(뉴스와이어)--Global aggregated large-sized panel shipments in 4Q07 reached 105 million units, a QoQ increase of 3.4% and a YoY increase of 37.8%. In 4Q07, shipments peaked in October amid inventory preparations for the year-end Christmas sales. As the fourth quarter traditionally marks a slow down in the TFT-LCD industry, the impact began to kick in more notably after mid 4Q07, where shipments dropped respectively by 5~6% during November and December. Area-wise, the gradual ramp-up of the 40" and above pushed up shipments to 17.3 million square meters, a QoQ growth of 11.5%.

Separately, after increasing for 7 consecutive months since Apr07, the weak seasonality resulted in panel prices to stay flat during November and trend downwards in December. In 4Q07, the average price for one panel grew 8.5% QoQ to USD 205. Area-wise, amid the gradual increase of TV panels, the average price for one square meter grew merely by 0.6% to USD 1,247.

TV panel shipment

Among the 3 main applications, TVs experienced the most notable growth during 4Q07. Unit-wise, shipments rose to 26 million, a quarterly growth of 15%. The area shipment growth was even higher, surging by 21.5% to 9.6 million square meters. The overall TV panel demand during 4Q07 was relatively stable, where growth was most evident in the 32" and above 40". For 2007, as the TV set price of the 30" class arrived at the so-called "sweet point", coupled by the rising acceptance of the above 40" sets, TV panel shipments skyrocketed by 48.3% YoY. In 4Q07, the average price of each panel grew by 6.6%. Area-wise, given the yield rate improvements and continued ramp-up of the 7.5G and 8G, the bigger supply base of the larger-sized TV panels resulted in the average price of each square meter to climb slightly by 0.8% to USD 1,132.

Monitor panel shipment

The aggregated monitor panel shipments in 4Q07 reached 48.3 million units, down by 1.2% MoM. Q4 is traditionally a seasonal slowdown for IT products, especially for Monitors. Although unit shipments were lower than in 3Q07, compared to 2006, they still grew by 23%. Amid increased applications of the widescreen format and growing consumer acceptance, widescreen monitors increased from 48% in 3Q07 to 55% in 4Q07. The most obvious increase was seen in the 19W and 22W, which respectively was up by 17~18%. In 4Q07, the average price for each panel grew by 4% to USD 151.

Notebook panel shipment

In 4Q07, NB shipments reached 30.9 million units, a quarterly increase of 2.1% and yearly growth of 47.8%. For the fourth quarter, the NB panel demand was relatively steady, despite a slowdown triggered by the traditional slow season. For the average size of NB panel, minimal changes were seen in the shipment figures during the past 3 quarters, as the shipment ratio of the 14.1W and 15.4W already accounted for more than 75%. In 4Q07, the average price of each NB panel rose 2.2% QoQ. Area-wise, the average price was the highest among the 3 main applications, hitting USD 1, 608, up by 1.3% QoQ.

Conclusion

For 2007, the aggregated large-sized TFT-LCD panel shipments reached 371 million, up 37.5% YoY. . Area-wise, they rose by 57% YoY to 56.1 million square meters. Shipments for TVs, Monitors, and Notebooks in 2007 respectively reached 81.6 million, 180.6 million, and 108.8 million, representing an annual increase of 48.3%, 28.8% and 45.8%.

Looking into 2008, shipments are expected to grow 16% YoY. TV panels will continue to further migrate to the larger size segment. Amid increased supply of the 50" class, their influence in the LCD TV market competition will also grow. In the Monitor and NB segment, many new display sizes are expected to appear, brought forth by growing popularity of the 16:9 widescreen format and study of new glass cut sizes spurred by new product mixes of different generation production lines.

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