The latest panel price update from TrendForce in early December indicates that prices for TV, notebook, and monitor panels will all decline this month due to the continued weakening of end-user demand. Detailed analysis is as follows:

• TV Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, including promotions on Double Eleven and Black Friday, the results have been less than satisfactory. As a result, brands continue to revise down their demand for TV panels.

Panel manufacturers are responding to the declining demand by consistently reducing production, and the extent of production cuts continues to expand. This strategy aims to slow down the pace of price decline.

It is currently anticipated that the price decline for TV panels in December will slightly widen. Prices are expected to drop by USD 2 dollars for 32″ and 43″, USD 3 dollars for 50″ and 55″, and USD 4 dollars for 65″ and 75″.

• MNT Panel

As for monitor panels, demand has noticeably weakened since the fourth quarter. However, in the past few months, price declines have been observed only in high-end models.

Nevertheless, with some panel manufacturers leading the way by adopting a softer stance on mainstream panel prices, a downward trend in mainstream panel prices has emerged in December.

Currently, the expected decline for December is as follows: a decrease of USD 0.2 dollars for 23.8″ Open Cell panels, and a decrease of USD 0.1 dollars for 21.5″, 23.8″, and 27″.

• NB Panel

As for notebook panels, demand has similarly experienced a noticeable decline starting from the fourth quarter, with a trend of continuous downward revisions month by month.

Under the pressure of a sudden drop in demand, there is a growing noise demanding a decline in panel prices. In the past one or two months, panel manufacturers have mostly made concessions in higher-end specifications and 16:10 models to maintain the stability of mainstream 16:9 model prices.

However, it is expected that panel manufacturers may find it challenging to resist brand pressure this month, and the panel prices for mainstream FHD IPS models are anticipated to see a slight decrease of USD 0.1 dollar.

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• [Insights] Late-November Price Update: Tug of War in Prices! Drop Anticipated in Large-sized High-end Monitor Panel

TrendForce released the early November panel price trends today, with TV panel prices experiencing an unstoppable decline, while MNT (Monitor) and NB panel prices remained relatively stable.

TV panel

Entering the fourth quarter, TV panel shipments continue to weaken. However, the attempt by agents to influence panel prices through a surge in shipments of small-sized TV panels seems to have subsided, and panel prices are returning to a more balanced negotiation between buyers and sellers.

Major TV brands have been adjusting their orders since the latter half of the third quarter, and these adjustments have expanded into the all panel sizes in the fourth quarter.

Although panel manufacturers are still controlling production, it appears that they are finding it challenging to resist the decline in panel prices due to sluggish demand. As of the current outlook, it is expected that in November, panel prices will decrease by 2-dollar for the entire month in the sizes of 32″, 43″, 50″, and 55″, while sizes of 65″ and 75″ will experience a 3-dollar drop, and 85″ will face a 5-dollar decline.

MNT Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, demand for MNT panels has started to weaken. In October, mainstream panel sizes showed a tendency to stabilize in terms of pricing, with only some high-end models having slight room for price reductions, especially for high refresh rate specifications.

Currently, it is expected that panel manufacturers will continue to maintain a stable price trend for mainstream size MNT panels in November. However, should brand demand fall short of expectations, there is a possibility of price decreases, particularly in Open Cell panels or in larger-sized, high-end models.

NB Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, demand for NB panels continues to weaken. However, panel manufacturers remain committed to maintaining stable panel prices, especially as they face downward price pressures in TV and MNT panels. Panel manufacturers are reluctant to make significant concessions on NB panel prices, except for the possibility of offering certain discounts through project-based bundling models.

Currently, it is expected that NB panel prices, whether for entry-level TN panels or mid- to high-range IPS panels, will continue to maintain a stable trend in November.

TrendForce released panel price forecasts for early September, with Eric Chiou, Senior Research Vice President at TrendForce, noting that TV panel prices have been on the rise since February. However, despite the price uptrend, end-demand remains subdued. Coupled with the overall unfavorable economic conditions, signs of stagnant prices are emerging in September for TVs below 50 inches.

Chiou pointed out that if the outlook for the fourth quarter is not optimistic, we could be entering the peak season’s final stages. Brands are facing rising costs and limited promotional space, leading to a conservative approach in preparations for China’s Double 11 and Black Friday sales events in Europe and the US. Overall, 65-inch to 75-inch TV panels have a chance to increase by $3, but price pressures are expected to kick in for panels from October to December.

As the traditional TV market enters the off-season, the key factor will be the extent of price reductions and the profit margins for sellers.

Regarding IT panels, monitor panels are the least profitable among the three major applications. The price increases in the second quarter were already somewhat reluctant, with only low-end IT panels showing upward potential while high-end panels struggled to rise significantly. Overall, IT panels are facing stagnation in price increases and supply chain disruptions, with expectations of greater price pressure from the fourth quarter to the first quarter of the next year.

In the monitor panel segment, visibility for business laptops is not high, and brand manufacturers are expected to adjust panel procurement in the fourth quarter. Second-tier laptop manufacturers are likely to engage in price wars, facing significant pricing pressure. The panel industry conditions in the third quarter of this year were better than in the second quarter, but demand for panels in the fourth quarter may not match the third quarter’s performance.

TrendForce reported that TV panel purchases are gaining momentum in the early July, with both Chinese and other major brand customers increasing their orders in preparation for the busy promotional season in the second half of the year. Overall, the purchasing momentum is expected to grow by 7-8% in the quarter. The demand-driven growth, coupled with balanced supply and demand, is likely to sustain the upward trend in TV panel prices. For July, prices are projected to rise by $2 for 32-inch panels, $3 for 43-inch panels, $6 for 50-inch and 55-inch panels, $7 for 65-inch panels, and $8 for 75-inch panels.

Meanwhile, MNT panel prices have experienced slight increases, but the market demand for commercial models remains weak compared to consumer models. Consequently, the price hikes are expected to be modest, and various panel manufacturers are implementing different pricing strategies for different customers and sizes. For July, MNT panel Open Cell prices are expected to rise by approximately $0.2 to $0.5, while 21.5-inch module prices will increase by $0.2 and 23.8-inch module prices by $0.1. Prices for 27-inch modules will remain stable.

As for NB panel prices, after a stable period, panel manufacturers are contemplating raising prices in the third quarter. However, brand customers remain cautious about the demand for the second half of the year, resulting in ongoing negotiations with panel manufacturers. The demand for lower-end TN models is stronger than for higher-end IPS models, leading brand customers to tend to accept slight increases in TN panel prices. For July, mainstream sizes like 14-inch and 15.6-inch TN models are expected to see a minor increase of $0.1, while prices for IPS models will remain stable.