Taiwan's top 5 TFT-LCD panel makers to score profits of NT$22-23 B. this year

Taipei, Dec. 11, 2003 (CENS)—With growing market demand and stable sales prices, Taiwan's five leading manufacturers of large-size thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels are expected to score total profits of NT$22-23 billion (US$648-676 million at US$1 = NT$34) this year, shooting up 177% from last year's earnings of NT$8.3 billion (US$244 million).

In November alone, all of the five TFT-LCD panel makers are estimated to enjoy a profit rate of more than 20%. Among them, Chi Mei Optoelectronics Co. shipped 874,000 TFT-LCD panels valued at NT$8.584 billion (US$252.5 million) for the month, with profits of NT$2.6 billion (US$76.5 million) or a profit rate of over 30%. Compared to October, the shipment declined 7.3% and profits dropped 2.9%.

Quanta Display Inc. gained revenue of NT$3.46 billion (US$101.8 million) in October, posting a profit rate of a little lower than 20%. Thanks to the operations of its fifth-generation TFT-LCD plant, the company's shipment in November increased by 15% from a month earlier, and the revenue for the month is estimated to expand to NT$4 billion (US$117.65 million), with profit rate estimated at over 20%. Quanta Display is likely to see total revenue of NT$28 billion (US$823.53 million) for the full year, which will make the firm turn profitable.

Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. Posted 22% profit rate in October, and the percentage may expand to 25% in November. Last month the company shipped 833,000 TFT-LCD panels, edged up 0.2% from October. Changhwa Picture is forecast to score profits of NT$1 billion (US$29.4 million) for the year. And Hannstar Display Corp. delivered 412,000 TFT-LCD panels in November, a slight increase from October's 407,000 panels, and its profits are estimated to reach NT$1 billion (US$29.4 million) for the year.

With massive production of both small- and large-sized panels, AU Optronics Corp. has recently adjusted upward its financial prediction for the year, and is expected to see profits hit a high of NT$14.1 billion (US$414.7 million) for the year.

Shipment of Large-sized TFT-LCD Panels by Taiwan Five Leading Makers unit: 1,000 pieces
Makers	Oct. 2003	Nov. 2003	Growth Rate (%)
AU Optronics	1,190	1,200	0.8
Chi Mei Optoelectronics	943	874	-7.3
Chunghwa Picture Tubes	831	833	0.2
Hannstar Display	407	412	1.2
Quanta Display	450	520	15.6
Total	3,821	3,839	0.5

Sources: The above-mentioned companies