DisplaySearch throws a bit of good news our way on Thursday morning:

"According to David Hsieh, Vice President of DisplaySearch, 'July was a record-breaking month for large-area TFT LCD panels in several segments, including total shipments, shipment area, notebook PC, LCD TV and mini-note panel shipments. This indicates strong recovery in end-market demand and increased utilization at panel makers.'

"Hsieh added, 'Panel prices continued to rise in July, and revenues will increase again in August as shipments continue to grow. Despite the price increases, OEMs and brands are building inventories for the coming holiday season. DisplaySearch believes it is very important to watch inventories carefully in September, especially for LCD monitor and LCD TV panels.' "

Inventory builds are a leading indicator of economic activity - - although they are often not the best leading indicator. But technology vendors have been saying for months that their inventories have been at seasonally low levels; in what's probably the most conservative environment in the history of information technology, any kind of inventory increases would have to be taken as a positive sign. As Hsieh points out, what happens with inventories in September will be a pretty big deal.

What are you seeing with product availability, inventories and pricing?