Prices of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels bounced back for the first time in 20 months earlier this month, industry data showed Sunday, signaling that the flat-screen panel industry is set to buck a downturn.

   The price of 40- to 42-inch LCD panels for TVs stood at US$235 in early May, up $3 from late last month, according to market research firm DisplaySearch. Since peaking at $360 in September 2009, the price kept falling until holding steady in April.

   The price of 32-inch LCD panels also rose $2 from late April, while the price of 46-inch LCD panels stayed unchanged at $319, according to the data.

   The rise in prices was largely attributed to a climb in China's seasonal demand and slow operation among Japanese panel manufacturers.

   LCD TV panels account for the biggest portion of revenue for South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Display Co., the world's top two makers of flat-screen display panels. Their prices have been trending lower for the past months on weak TV demand and increased output.

(Yonhap News)