Prices of liquid crystal display panels have been falling since a devastating earthquake hit Japan earlier this month, industry data showed Monday, beating market forecasts that prices would trend higher on an undersupply.

According to market research firm DisplaySearch, prices of LCD panels for 46-inch TVs came to $330 and those for 40 and 42-inch TVs stood at $234 as of Saturday, down about $4-14 from the beginning of this year.

Prices of full high-definition light emitting diode (LED) panels for 40- and 42-inch TVs fell to $322, compared with $330 early this year, according to the data.

Analysts and market watchers had widely predicted that Korean makers of LCD panels, such as Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Display Co., would benefit from the March 11 quake that damaged Japanese companies.

Japanese semiconductor and LCD makers are key rivals of Korean LCD panel makers. At the same time, Korean companies rely on Japanese partners for the supply of components, equipment and raw materials.

DisplaySearch said the damage to Japan’s equipment and components makers would have minimal short-term effects on prices due to current inventories being well stocked.

The research firm, however, said if Japan’s supply network takes longer than expected to return to normal, it may bring about a balance in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. 

(Yonhap News)