Taiwan panel makers, including Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) and HannStar Display, have reduced their prices for 32-inch LCD TV panels to less than US$400, lower than the US$400 level that LG.Philips LCD (LPL) earlier approached, according to industry sources.
In an attempt to release their inventory clearance in the TV segment before demand picks up in the third quarter, the Taiwan panel makers recently lowered prices for 32- and 37-inch TV panels by up to US$30, compared to their May prices, indicated the sources.
For the 32-inch LCD TV segment, CMO and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) currently each have inventory turnover days of finished and half-finished products (combined) of almost one month, the sources found. Although AU Optronics (AUO) has lowered its inventory turnover days to 7-14 days, the higher inventory levels at Quanta Display (QDI) may extend the timeline, the sources added.
The sources expect that demand will pick up from the third quarter and rising orders will stop panel prices from dropping further from August.



