Taiwanese fat panel makers victims of their own price hikes

Far be it from us to say, "we told you so". But we did. Here.

Taiwan's Commercial Times said Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. and Hannstar Display Corp, both of which has increased prices in each of the past nine months, saw shipments slip five and six per cent, respectively, in June, as the markets started to baulk at the prices asked.

Prices are likely to slip back to a level buyers find more attractive.

Taiwan's TFT-LCD panel prices are expected to fall by four per cent to from July. Then, according to the laws of supply and demand, shipments are likley to increase again.

The Times says Chi Mei Electronics, the TFT-LCD business arm of the Chi Mei Group, postponed its listing on the TSE market in antcipation of better market conditions to come. µ