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DisplaySearch Reports Q1'04 Worldwide LCD TV Shipments Rose 124% Y/Y (7/7/2004)

DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in flat panel display (FPD) market research and consulting, revealed in its "Quarterly LCD TV Shipment and Forecast Report" that Q1'04 global LCD TV shipments rose 124% Y/Y to 1.4 million units, while declining 11% sequentially. Sequential growth is expected to rebound in Q2'04, with shipments up 35% Q/Q and 159% Y/Y, fueled by Sharp's expansion as their TV-panel optimized 6th gen TFT LCD fab ramps. Although Sharp is expected to enjoy most of the growth and squeeze many other suppliers out, other contributors to the expected growth are seasonal product line transitions and ramps, expanding reseller assortments, increased fab capacity from other suppliers, and price reductions especially in the larger screen sizes.

Highlights of Q1'04 results include the following:

-- Sharp, the top brand, reversed several quarters of eroding share and increased its total market share to 26.5%, which is expected to expand significantly in Q2'04.

-- The battle for second and third place in brand share was a virtual dead heat between Samsung and Sony, as each earned an 11.9% share. Both brands lost small amounts of share due to Sharp and other brands.

-- Of the 9 major size categories, Sharp led in six of them: 10"-14", 15"-16", 20"-21", 22"-24", 28"-32" and 33"-37". Sony led in the 17"-19" and 40"+, and JVC led in the 26"-27" categories.

-- Regionally, Sharp led in Japan and North America, while Philips led in Europe, and LG Electronics led in the ROW.

-- 20"-21" remained the dominant category with a 23% share, followed by 15"-16" at 22%, and 28"-32" at 14%. 26"-27" was the only category to show positive Q/Q growth, rising 4%.

-- The 20" and larger market accounted for 53% of Q1'04 LCD TV shipments, up from 51% in Q4'03 and from 38% in Q1'03. The 26" and larger market reached 21%, up from 20% in Q4'03 and from 7% in Q1'03. All categories below 20" lost share due to panel suppliers increasing their focus on larger sizes, while in times of allocation and seasonal movement away from the more price-oriented holiday business.

-- Japan remained the single largest region for LCD TV shipments with a 36% share, down from 38% in Q4'03. Europe remained the second largest region with a 30% share, up from 28% in Q4'03. Shipments in all regions were down Q/Q, but all were up at least 75% Y/Y.

DisplaySearch's "Quarterly LCD TV Shipment and Forecast Report" is priced from $4,495 to $5,495 for an annual corporate subscription.

www.displaysearch.com