Notebook LCD panel prices are expected to start rising in April with an initial increase of around US$1-2 due to vendors in Europe starting to restock inventory plus increasing demand from China, according to market sources.
The prices for some screen size such as 14.x- or 15.x-inch may increase by US$3-4, the sources noted.
Panel makers have maintained low notebook panel inventory, as inventory at system makers has remained high. However, orders with shorter lead-time have started to show up in the second half of March amid increasing demand from Europe and China as inventory is being digested, so system makers have no choice but to agree to increase panel prices in order to secure orders, the sources explained.
Article translated by Yvonne Yu
