Summary of Panel Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The panel industry is experiencing a mixed demand situation, with brand manufacturers maintaining high procurement levels despite declining sales data. In Q4, procurement in mainland China is expected to remain flat year-on-year at 23 million units, indicating positive market demand expectations despite inventory accumulation [1][3] - The global panel shipment volume is projected to reach 246 to 247 million units in 2025, with a slight increase expected in 2026. The overall shipment area is anticipated to grow by approximately 2%, driven by sustained high levels of small and medium-sized panel shipments [1][6] Key Insights and Arguments - **Demand Drivers**: Several factors are expected to positively influence demand in the first half of next year, including potential continuation of subsidy policies in mainland China, promotional events like the 618 shopping festival, and international events such as the World Cup and Winter Olympics. If the U.S. government issues additional subsidies, consumer demand could be further stimulated [1][4] - **Price Trends**: Panel manufacturers believe current prices are near the bottom, leading to price increases starting in November. Smaller clients are already feeling the pressure, while larger clients are expected to negotiate price increases in January. The ability of panel manufacturers to coordinate production during the Chinese New Year will significantly impact price increases in Q1 [1][4] - **Supply and Production Rates**: The current supply-demand situation in the LCD market shows a slight oversupply, with an excess rate of 13%-14% without considering capacity depreciation, and 11%-12% when accounting for it. The trend towards larger sizes and the retirement of older generations may lead to a tightening of LCD capacity in the next two to three years [3][15] Additional Important Points - **Inventory Management**: Brand manufacturers are expected to increase procurement in December and January to avoid supply shortages due to delayed factory operations after the late Chinese New Year. This procurement peak is anticipated to last until April or early May [1][4] - **Market Segmentation**: The demand for large and ultra-large televisions (65, 75, 85, 98, and 100 inches) remains strong, particularly in North America where prices are very competitive. The average price for a 100-inch TV is below $1,000, making these products attractive to consumers [7][8] - **Regional Performance**: By the end of 2025, the average screen size in North America is expected to reach 52 inches, while mainland China could see an average of 63 inches. Other regions like Southeast Asia and Oceania are projected to have average sizes around 45 inches [9] - **Profitability Challenges**: Current low panel prices are making it difficult for hardware manufacturers to achieve profitability. Rising costs of other raw materials are increasing overall production costs, leading many manufacturers to rely on software platforms for advertising revenue to offset hardware losses [5] Conclusion - The panel industry is navigating a complex landscape with mixed demand signals and pricing pressures. While there are positive indicators for future demand, particularly for large screens, manufacturers must carefully manage production and inventory to optimize profitability in a challenging market environment.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was KRW 6.957 trillion, up 25% QoQ and 2% YoY [4] - Operating profit reached KRW 431 billion, improving by over KRW 500 billion QoQ and YoY [4] - Net income was KRW 1.2 billion, influenced by foreign currency translation gains [5] - EBITDA in Q3 was KRW 1.4239 trillion with an EBITDA margin of 20% [5] - Cash and cash equivalents stood at KRW 1.555 trillion, largely unchanged QoQ [7] - Debt-to-equity ratio was 263%, down 5 percentage points QoQ [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mobile and others segment revenue share reached 39%, up 11 percentage points QoQ [6] - The share of OLED products out of total revenue was 65%, up 9 percentage points QoQ [6] - TV segment revenue share was 16%, down 4 percentage points QoQ [6] - Auto segment's share was 8%, down 2 percentage points QoQ [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Area shipment fell 1% QoQ despite growing shipments of small and medium OLED products [5] - ASP per square meter was $1,365, up 29% QoQ [5] - Total area shipment is projected to grow in low single-digit percentage QoQ for Q4 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on an OLED-centered business structure upgrade and cost innovation [10] - Plans to ensure stable operations in the small mobile business by expanding panel shipments [12] - In the IT LCD business, the focus is on reducing low-margin products while enhancing high-end segments [14] - The company aims to solidify its leadership in the premium market for large panels [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects external uncertainties and shipment volatility to persist in Q4 [11] - The company plans to address challenges by prioritizing business efficiency initiatives [11] - OLED products revenue share is expected to remain stable QoQ in Q4 [11] Other Important Information - The company plans an additional workforce improvement program in Q4 as part of cost innovation efforts [11] - CapEx for this year is expected to be in the high KRW 1 trillion range, below last year's level [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of Business Performance and Market Outlook - The company believes it has the structure to sustain business performance and expects to improve profitability by another KRW 1 trillion this year [20][21] Question: Response to ASP Pressure and Future Growth Strategy - The company will maintain an optimum pricing strategy while upgrading product mix and continuing cost innovation [22] Question: Market Reception of New Models and Shipment Outlook - The company has seen positive reception for new models and expects to further expand performance from last year [27][28] Question: Strategy for Foldable Smartphone Panel Business - The company is preparing for potential market growth and maximizing supply volume for existing products [34] Question: LCD IT Business Strategy - The company is focused on maintaining profitability by downsizing low-margin models and enhancing high-end lineups [39] Question: OLED TV Business Strategy - The company projects a mid 6 million unit level of large OLED panel shipment this year, expecting growth to 7 million units next year [44]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **Chinese export and import market** as of August 2025, highlighting trends in trade balances and growth rates. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Export and Import Growth Trends** - Exports increased by **4.4% year-over-year (yoy)** in August, down from **7.2%** in July, and below the market consensus of **5.5%**. Imports grew by **1.3% yoy**, a decrease from **4.1%** in July, also trailing consensus expectations of **3.4%**. The trade surplus narrowed to **USD 102.3 billion** from **USD 98.2 billion** in July [2][1][2]. 2. **Sector-Specific Export Performance** - The slowdown in exports was primarily observed in traditional consumer goods, with clothing exports down **9.8% yoy** and footwear down **16.9% yoy**. In contrast, high-tech products showed resilience, with electronic integrated circuits (ICs) growing **32.7% yoy** and LCD panels increasing **13.8% yoy** [3][3][15]. 3. **Geographical Export Dynamics** - Exports to the US plummeted by **33.1% yoy**, attributed to ongoing trade frictions. Conversely, exports to the EU, Japan, ASEAN, and Hong Kong saw growth rates of **10.8%**, **7.0%**, **22.7%**, and **17.6%** respectively, indicating a shift in trade patterns [4][4][22]. 4. **Import Growth Weakness** - Import growth weakened across various categories, with notable deceleration in high-tech products and major commodities. Copper and iron ore imports saw growth slow to **1.7%** and **0.6% yoy**, respectively, following a previous improvement [5][5]. 5. **Future Projections** - A sharper deceleration in exports is anticipated for September and October due to the payback of earlier frontloading. The US-China trade truce may not sustain demand, especially with higher tariffs affecting US end demand. Imports are expected to reflect ongoing domestic demand weakness [6][6]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Product-Specific Export Trends** - Labor-intensive and home-related product exports weakened significantly, with declines of **6.4% yoy** and **7.7% yoy**, respectively [9][9]. 2. **Commodity Import Trends** - While the value of crude oil and iron ore imports fell by **15.3%** and **2.3%**, their volume increased by **0.6%** and **3.8%**, indicating a complex demand scenario [24][24]. 3. **High-Tech Product Imports** - Import growth for integrated circuits remained strong at **8.1%**, while ADP machines contracted by **8.9%** [28][28]. 4. **Agricultural Imports** - Agricultural imports fell by **2.7% yoy**, with mixed performance across categories such as meat (+3.2%) and grain (-10.6%) [30][30]. This summary encapsulates the key findings and projections regarding China's trade performance, highlighting both challenges and areas of resilience within the export and import sectors.