Large-size panel shipments in March reached a new historic high with 53.6 million units

by WitsView on Apr.14 2010

According to WitsView’s latest survey, global large-sized panel shipments reached a new historic high in March 2010, surging by 20.9% MoM to 53.6 million units; its YoY growth rate reached an impressive 48.9%. March is the fiscal closing month of the first quarter, and panel prices are currently at a high point; therefore, with such favorable conditions and perfect timing, major panel makers are aggressively shipping their products to ensure an outstanding first quarter earnings report.

In March, driven by strong shipment momentum and the launch of spring models, shipments of all applications, except for netbook panels, recorded historic high figures. Of which, TV panel shipments grew by 13.9% to 15.8 million units; monitor panel shipments grew the most this month, up by 26.8% MoM to a total of 19.21 million units; notebook (>12.1”) panel shipments increased by 24.1% to 15.03 million units, while netbook (<12.1”) panel shipments rose 10.9% MoM to 3.55 million units.

Table 1: TFT-LCD Panel Shipment in Mar-10 (K units)

The aggregated area shipment in March grew by 18.4% MoM, to 9.2 million square meters. Thanks to increasing development of large-sized products, the YoY growth rate is 54.4%. Of the 3 applications, netbook panel shipments rose 10.7% MoM to 113 thousand square meters; notebook panel shipments increased by 23.1% to 1.001 million square meters; monitor panel shipments surged by 26.8% MoM to 2.339 million square meters; TV panel shipments added 14.7% MoM to 5.748 million square meters.

Table 2: TFT-LCD Panel Area Shipment in Mar-10 (K square meter)

Size Wise in March

LCD TV panels: although shipment ratio of ≦26" TV panels maintained at 22%, the ratios of individual sizes changed slightly – 26"W shipment ratio decreased by 0.6%, and <24"W small-sized shipment ratio rose by 0.6%. Shipment ratios of 32"W and 37"W dropped by 0.5% and 0.7% respectively, affected by the rise in end-market inventory. On the contrary, shipment ratio of >40"W rose by 1.2%, stimulated by new model launches and the adoption of new LED specifications.

Notebook panels: of global netbook and >12.1"W notebook panel shipment ratios: 15.6"W continued to secure its No. 1 position with an increase of 3.3% to 36.8%; the second highest ratio was 13.3"/13.4" (16:9), which rose by 1.3% to 4%; this is followed by 13.3"W (16:10), up by 0.9%. On the contrary, sizes that posted decline in shipments are 10.x" (-1.8%), 17.3"W (-1.6%), 14.1"W (-1.2%).

LCD monitor panels: affected by fewer number of suppliers, shipment ratios 16:10 monitor panels continued to decrease, namely, 17"W (-0.1%), 20.1"W (-8.5%), and 22"W (-1%); with only one exception, 19"W, which increased by 1.2%. Of the sizes that grew in shipment ratios, 21.5"/21.6" increased the most by 1.8%, thanks to stable supply from multiple sources. Shipment ratio of 20.1"(4:3) added 0.4%, due to sporadic demand from downstream customers; this is followed by 18.5"W which added 0.3% in ratio.

Conclusion

In the upcoming 2Q10: after the panel industry has undergone losses from the global financial crisis as well as incentives from regional markets, panel industry’s seasonality patterns have become highly variable. Panel makers’ subsequent strategies are a test of wisdom for their survival. Although panel shipments in March were outstanding, there is still buzz in the market about diminishing end-market demand. As major brand vendors are intentionally lowering prices to expand their market share, it suggests that demand may gradually weaken. Therefore, according to WitsView, panel prices and shipment volumes will reach another turning point in April; hence, the market holds a conservative attitude toward 2Q10.

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Large-size panel shipments in March reached a new historic high with 53.6 million units

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