Flat-Panel Growth Picture Turns Fuzzy

Slowdown worries are coming into view in the hot flat-panel TV market.

Investors fear that the credit crunch that started this summer in the U.S. mortgage sector could slow the economy by crimping consumer spending. That could push high-definition TVs right off the holiday must-have list, say industry watchers.

But even without a U.S. consumer slowdown, sales growth looks ready to slow in the luxury TV market. That's because some big makers of liquid crystal display panels -- such AU Optronics (AUO Quote) and LG Philips (LPL Quote) -- held back on expansion efforts last year and early this year. ...