LG Display output recovers as screen prices steady

SEOUL, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Flat screen maker LG Display Co Ltd (034220.KS) said on Wednesday its panel output had returned to a normal after two months of production cuts, as falling panel prices stabilised and inventories decreased.

LG Display (LPL.N), the world's second-biggest maker of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, said in late July it was cutting output by 10 percent as global demand for flat-screen TVs and personal computers was hit by the ongoing economic slowdown.

"Now our utilisation rate has returned to a normal level," said LG spokesman Park Sang-bae, without disclosing the current production rate. "We will remain flexible in managing output."

LG and its smaller Taiwanese rivals, AU Optronics Corp (2409.TW) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp (3009.TW), slashed panel production in recent months to respond to falling prices and weak demand.

Recent data showed prices of computer monitor and notebook screens steadied in the latter half of September although TV panel prices continued a downward trend.

LG Display shares rose 0.84 percent to end at 29,950 won, against the wider market's 0.58 percent loss.

(Reporting by Rhee So-eui, editing by Jonathan Hopfner)