Taiwanese sources are pointing to challenges in large area panel pricing for panel makers, so we checked it out. It seems that not only are panel makers under price pressure, but TV brands are also under a lot of price pressure on larger sizes (e.g. 65″), especially in China where IHS has suggested that fighter models of 65″ UltraHD TVs might even get down to $575 in Q3 under pressure from Foxconn’s desire to boost its volumes. When we looked, Amazon had a 65″ 2018 UltraHD Roku model from Hisense at $646, already.
Our sources suggest pricing of $260 for open cell panels in March (UltraHD, 60Hz) as an average and prices are getting close to costs.
Analyst Comment
The crystal cycle and periods of bleeding money are not new in the LCD business, but it is of some concern that, so far, only one of the planned big fabs in China has come into operation so far, and yet prices are already under severe pressure.
LDM’s publisher, Meko. keeps track of panel pricing. The fall in 65″ has been significant since last summer. Source:IHS Markit Click for higher resolution
