Taiwanese LCD monitor shipment volume is estimated to have grown 67.8% year on year to over 7.3 million units in the second quarter of 2003, a sequential increase of 4.6%. With prices sustained by a rising share of 17" and larger monitor shipments and a short supply of panels, value climbed 7.1% sequentially to roughly US$2.1 billion, year on year growth of 38.8%. Average selling price grew from US$279 in the first quarter of 2003 to US$286 in the second quarter. 

The 15" panel shortage seen in the first quarter of 2003 persisted in the second as LCD panel suppliers progressively increase 17" panel production to cushion profit margins. Combined with the short supply of 15" panels, which was not relieved by the traditionally slower PC sales season as expected, share of 15" monitors fell, while monitors 17" and larger are growing to account for close to 50% of shipments. 

CDT monitor shipment volume underwent a sequential drop of 9.9% to total 8.2 million units in the second quarter of 2003, falling 15.8% year on year. Value slid down 13.4% sequentially to US$811 million, a 23.7% decline from the same period in 2002. 

As the industry moves into the peak sales season in the third quarter and with sustained CDT monitor replacement, Taiwanese LCD monitor shipments are expected to reach approximately eight million units. Seasonal effects are also anticipated to bring about stronger volume performance for CDT monitors than witnessed in the first half of 2003.