LCD TV prices expected to fall

The AP reports that LCD TV prices are expected to fall due to reduced demand.

AP: LCD TV companies see falling prices as demand down

SEATTLE (AP) — Companies that make huge flat-screen televisions and their LCD panel components are alerting investors that demand is dropping in the U.S. and other developed markets.

If you're planning to buy one of these, wait a while more. I'd suggest holding out for the Xmas or New Year sales. If you're selling your LCD TV though, you'd better get rid of it soon!

In related news, The Star reports that the Malaysian consumer retail market is expected to be weak in the second half as consumers are becoming more cautious with their spending.

Teh tarik, soft drink prices should NOT go up

Practically all servings of popular drinks like teh tarik and kopi/teh ais are prepared using condensed milk, which already contains a lot of sugar. So there is no justification for any rise in prices for these drinks even with the recent 5 sen/kg increase in retail sugar prices.

There is no excuse for condensed milk factories to raise prices either; they should only be using bulk sugar supplies which are not covered by the subsidy. If these factories complain about rising sugar prices, it implies that they are "stealing" from the consumer (retail) supplies of sugar.

The same goes for soft drink and other bottled/can drink factories. They should also be using bulk sugar only. Anyway, a number of these factories have switched to using high-fructose corn syrup as a sugar substitute. So again, there is no justification for any rise in prices.