WASHINGTON: As LCD TV shipments are expected to be lower than originally estimated for 2015, panel makers are also lowering shipments, which include adjustments for the second half of 2015.
AU Optronics (AUO) is one panel maker that has lowered its forecast for overall panel surface growth in 2015 from 6-8% on-year growth to 4-6%. Other Taiwan panel makers have also either lowered their LCD TV panel forecasts for the rest of 2015 or expect to see only slight growth.
Most industry observers attribute such adjustments to weakening LCD TV and notebook demand coupled with uncertainties in the global economy.
Market reports from IHS recently stated that LCD TV shipments dropped 8% on year in the second quarter of 2015 to around 48 million, which also represented the largest quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2009.
LCD TVs account for 99% of the TV market and CRT along with plasma units have exited most markets entirely. LCD TVs have reached saturation and there is little momentum pushing forward sales in the market currently, added industry observers. Ultra HD TV sales meanwhile are on the rise which will help maintain makers’ profits, the observers noted.
