Samsung has topped the world for 19 months in a row in terms of LCD panel revenue. On Monday, market research agency DisplaySearch announced that Samsung Electronics recorded US$1.41 billion in terms of LCD sales. Accumulated sales for LCDs this year are also expected to break the previous record, making the company the world's no 1 for five years in a row. Its LCD sales stood at $13.65 billion for the January-November period. As the runner-up, LG Philips recorded $10.31 billion in the sector, Korea’s LCD sales are expected to reach 23.96 billion, consolidating the country’s position as the world's no. 1 in the LCD market. Accumulated revenue of Taiwanese companies including AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics totals 20.88 billion, showing gap of some $3 billion.

According to DisplaySearch, the LCD panel market will grow by 15 percent to around $80 billion next year and $95 billion by 2010. Meanwhile, EyeSupply expects the large-sized LCD panel market to grow by 21 percent to $62.4 billion next year.

(englishnews@chosun.com )