TrendForce: TV and laptop panel prices are expected to remain stable in May, while monitor panel prices are likely to continue rising

According to Zhitong Finance APP, on May 5th, TrendForce released its panel price forecast for early May, predicting that TV panel prices are expected to remain stable, monitor panel prices are likely to continue rising, and laptop panel prices will remain flat. The specific content is as follows: TV In May, the prices of all-size TV panels are expected to remain stable. The average price of a 65-inch TV panel is $177, with a minimum price of $173 and a maximum of $182. The average price of a 55-inch TV panel is $127, with a minimum price of $122 and a maximum of $130. The average price of a 43-inch TV panel is $66, with a minimum price of $64 and a maximum of $67. The average price of a 32-inch TV panel is $36, with a minimum price of $35 and a maximum of $37. As May begins, the trend of weakening demand for TV panels has been established, and some brand customers are taking this opportunity to request panel manufacturers to make more concessions on panel prices. However, panel manufacturers are also aware of the weakening demand, so during the Labor Day holiday in May, they initiated a series of production reduction measures. Currently, it is estimated that the average industry operating rate in May will be adjusted down by about 6-7% compared to April, hoping to ease the downward pressure on prices through adjustments between supply and demand. Overall, it is currently expected that TV panel prices will remain flat in May. Monitor In May, monitor panel prices are expected to continue rising. Among them, the average price of a 27-inch IPS panel is $63, an increase of $0.1 from the previous month, a growth of 0.2%. The minimum is $57.6, and the maximum is $65.8. The average price of a 23.8-inch IPS panel is $49.9, an increase of $0.2 from the previous month, a growth of 0.4%. The minimum is $47.1, and the maximum is $51.4. In May, the demand for MNT panels is still benefiting from the tariff issue, maintaining relatively strong demand momentum, so panel prices still have the opportunity to maintain an upward trend. However, as demand for TV panels weakens in the second quarter and TV panel prices begin to stabilize, this may also affect the upward trend of MNT panel prices. Currently, it is estimated that the increase in May may show signs of convergence. Observations indicate that Open Cell panels are expected to rise by $0.2 in May, while from the perspective of panel modules, 21.5-inch and 27-inch panels are expected to rise by $0.1, and the 23.8-inch panel is expected to rise by $0.2 due to strong demand. Laptop In May, the prices of laptop panels of all sizes remain the same as the previous month The average price of 17.3-inch TN panels has remained stable at $38.3 since late September 2023. The lowest price this period is $37.7, and the highest price is $39.8. The expected average price for 15.6-inch Value IPS panels is $40.3, the same as the previous month; the lowest price this period is $38.6, and the highest price is $41.9. The price of 14.0-inch TN panels has stabilized at an average of $26.9 since early July 2024. The lowest price this period is $26.4, and the highest price is $28.1. The average price of 11.6-inch TN panels has remained stable at $25.1 since early July 2024. The lowest price this period is $24.2, and the highest price is $26.5. Entering May, despite the ongoing fermentation of tariff-related issues, the varying degree of brand customers' production layout in Southeast Asia means that, considering the 90-day exemption period, there is not much room for a rapid increase in overall short-term production capacity. Therefore, the recent demand momentum for NB panels has not surged sharply and remains at a normal pace. Instead, panel manufacturers are more concerned about the possibility of demand freezing after the exemption period, leading to a more proactive attitude in securing customer orders. Under the premise of ensuring customer orders and competing for more market share, panel manufacturers will inevitably adopt more flexible pricing strategies, resulting in a situation that is somewhat different from the MNT panel market. Currently, it is estimated that the price trend for NB panels in May will remain overall flat, while each panel manufacturer will negotiate more off-the-table order volumes and price discounts with brand customers based on their capabilities