Display industry prices to maintain hike into Q3

Display maker AU Optronics' earning conference reported a strong performance in the second quarter, with order visibility long into the end of the year. Innolux Corp. had also recently pointed out that display panel sales would be tight throughout the year. Industry analysts say display prices would rise in Q3, though whether the trend would continue into Q4 requires observation.

Due to the pandemic, online classes and teleworking and the shortage of upstream raw materials have cumulated to hiking display prices. TV screens have seen rising prices for 11 consecutive months now. AU Optronics' earning conference reported that the driver IC parts for displays in the upstream chain were seeing the most severe price hikes.

Other parts and materials seeing shortages include glass substrates and polarizers, leading to backed-up production of displays already in deficit.