DisplaySearch Reports Plasma Panel Shipments Surge More Than 42% Q/Q In Q4’07 To Record Levels

[The following is a release from DisplaySearch]

January 31, 2008

Plasma display panel (PDP) shipments built upon record Q3’07 shipments to reach another new record in Q4’07, exceeding forecasts by rising 42% Q/Q and an astounding 62% Y/Y to a record of almost 4.4 million units, according to the DisplaySearch Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, TV Panel Module. Some of the reasons leading to the growth were Greater availability of 1080p resolution panels, which maintained 11% share of all shipments and grew 46% Q/Q and over 1300% Y/Y—42” 1080p PDP shipments exceeded 50” PDP shipments for the first time in Q4’07. Better PDP pricing than LCD, with 42” HD PDP panels 20% less than comparable LCD pricing—PDP pricing is also falling faster Q/Q than comparable LCD panel sizes. 32” PDPs selling well in developing regions and 32” PDP share more than doubling to nearly 11% of PDP shipments Generally better plasma panel availability than LCD going into the holiday season “Despite the very strong unit growth, revenues were only slightly higher, rising just 32% Q/Q and 3% Y/Y in Q4’07 to $1.9 billion as ASP declines impacted revenue growth potential. In fact, blended average selling prices fell 36% Y/Y for the second quarter in a row. This was the third straight quarter of 30%+ price declines as supply continues to exceed demand and as a greater share of lower-priced 32” panels drove blended prices down,” noted Paul Gagnon, DisplaySearch Director of North America TV Research. By supplier, Matsushita—which changes its name to Panasonic officially on October 1, 2008—remained the top supplier. Their share grew from 33% to 37%, with the strongest share growth coming from HD resolution panels. Their share of 1080p panels rose to nearly 80% in Q4’07 from 77% in Q3’07. LGE overtook Samsung SDI for the #2 position with a one point share gain to 28% as Samsung SDI slipped from 29% to 25%. LGE’s 32” PDP introduction has proven to be a strong volume booster, contributing to more than a third of their share and becoming their second most popular size. Though Samsung SDI slipped to #3 overall, they continued to lead the 50” PDP segment and were #2 at 1080p, so they had the second strongest Y/Y growth behind LGE. All other suppliers lost share in Q4’07, although Hitachi hit its highest shipment volumes since Q1’06 thanks largely to 50” introductions. Table 1: Plasma Panel Share and Growth by Supplier Supplier Q3’07 Share Q4’07 Share Y/Y Growth Matsushita 32.7% 36.8% 48% LGE 27.3% 28.4% 113% Samsung SDI 28.8% 25.1% 95% Hitachi 6.8% 6.4% 17% Pioneer 4.2% 3.2% -39% Orion 0.2% 0.1% 80% Total 100.0% 100.0% 62% For detailed PDP module shipments, PDP fab activity, PDP supply/demand, PDP TV shipments by brand and region, and rolling 16-quarter plasma shipment, cost and pricing forecasts, please see the latest Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, TV Panel Module. For information on any DisplaySearch report, contact Arie Braun for additional information at 1.512.687.1505, or arie@displaysearch.com or contact your regional DisplaySearch office in China, Europe, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

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