LED industries are entering traditional off season in 4Q. HSBC states in their most recent LED report that LED industry 3Q13 revenue was weak due to TV backlight demands being lower than expected. With the upcoming release of the Chinese household subsidy, it is predicted that October TV backlight demands should show signs of recovery. Taiwanese LED manufacturers are anticipated to decline 5-10 percent in 4Q. 

The LED industry decline in 4Q will be relatively small, said HSBC. Comparison between Korean LED manufacturers and Taiwanese manufacturers show Korean manufacturers revenue 4Q is expected to stay flat with minimal growth while Taiwanese manufacturers’ revenue will decrease 5-10 percent.

In addition, HSBC has a positive outlook for the price drop in 2014. They believe with the exception of China, production expansion will be limited in other regional markets. It is expected that 4Q13 will see prices drop about 5-6 percent, and 1Q14 off season price drops will be even bigger. Change in product assortment gives LED chip manufacturers an opportunity to increase gross profit margin.