HSINCHU, Taiwan, Dec. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AU Optronics
Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced
preliminary consolidated November 2006 monthly revenues of NT$33,185 million
and unconsolidated revenues totaled NT$33,178 million, both representing a
0.3% sequential decline. On a year-over-year comparison, both November 2006
consolidated and unconsolidated revenues increased by 37.1%.
Shipments of large-sized panels used in desktop monitor, notebook PC, LCD
TV and other applications, reached 5.78 million units, a slight 0.3% decrease
from October 2006. Shipments of small-and-medium-sized panels presented a 9.3
% sequential decline to 8.22 million.
During the fourth quarter, the industry is witnessing a healthy sell
through and expects the holiday season demand to remain solid. AUO reiterates
its fourth quarter blended ASP trend to be inline to its October guidance.
However, the company experienced an early sign of controlling year end
inventory from some of its customers and also expects panel shipments in
December 2006 to decline sequentially due to the seasonality. Based on the
current market condition, AUO expects the large panel shipments to grow by
30%-35% quarter over quarter, in lieu of the original guidance of 40%
growth. Small & medium panel shipments expect to increase by around 20%,
inline to the original guidance. In response to the changing of the current
business condition, AUO reduces its overall Fab-loading rate to be about 90%
level.
(a) Large-size refers to panels that are 10 inches
and above in diagonal measurement while small-
and medium-size refers to those below 10 inches.
Sales Report: (Unit: NT$ million)
Net Sales(1)(2) Consolidated(3) Unconsolidated
Nov-06 33,185 33,178
Oct-06 33,270 33,273
M-o-M Growth (0.30%) (0.30%)
Nov-05 24,207 24,205
Y-o-Y Growth 37.10% 37.10%
Jan to Nov 2006 264,916 264,878
Jan to Nov 2005 192,796 192,706
Y-o-Y Growth 37.40% 37.50%
(1) All figures are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in Taiwan.
(2) Monthly figures are unaudited, prepared by AU Optronics Corp.
(3) Consolidated numbers include AU Optronics Corp., AU Optronics (L)
Corporation, AU Optronics (Suzhou) Corporation, and AU Optronics
(Shanghai) Corporation.
About AU Optronics
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO") is one of the top three largest manufacturers*
of large-size thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels ("TFT-LCD"),
with approximately 20.7%* of global market share with revenues of
NT$217.4billion (US$6.75 bn)* in 2005. TFT-LCD technology is currently the
most widely used flat panel display technology. Targeted for 40"+ sized LCD
TV panels, AUO's new generation (7.5-generation) fabrication facility
production started mass production in the fourth quarter of 2006. The
Company currently operates one 7.5-generation, two 6th-generation, four 5th-
generation, one 4th-generation, and four 3.5-generation TFT- LCD fabs, in
addition to eight module assembly facilities and the AUO Technology Center
specializes in new technology platform and new product development. AUO is
one of few top-tier TFT-LCD manufacturers capable of offering a wide range of
small- to large- size (1.5"-46") TFT-LCD panels, which enables it to offer a
broad and diversified product portfolio.
* As shown on DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT-LCD Shipment Report
dated November 2, 2006. (AUO market share = pre-merger AUO market share
+ QDI market share) This data is used as reference only and AUO does not
make any endorsement or representation in connection therewith. 2005
year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of NTD32.2039:USD1.
