Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

Equity Bottom-Up

Himax Technologies Inc Adr / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Automotive display driver IC leader Himax reported 1Q24 results last week that were ahead of guidance. The company also guided for rising margins.</li>
<li>Management believes 1Q24 represents a cyclical bottom for the company's financial performance and expects automotive demand to rise in 2H24E.</li>
<li>Himax rallied but remains 55% below its 2021 highs, yet its market opportunity larger than ever. Himax could be benefitting from different positioning within automotive chips than NXP &amp; Infineon.</li>
</ul>


Automotive display driver IC leader Himax reported 1Q24 results last week that were ahead of guidance. The company also guided for rising margins.
Management believes 1Q24 represents a cyclical bottom for the company's financial performance and expects automotive demand to rise in 2H24E.
Himax rallied but remains 55% below its 2021 highs, yet its market opportunity larger than ever. Himax could be benefitting from different positioning within automotive chips than NXP &amp; Infineon.


Himax: Signs of Automotive Demand Rebound; Why Demand Strength Is Different Than NXP and Infineon

<ul>
<li>
2Q25 beat on margins, in-line on profit; automotive and non-driver ICs resilient despite macro headwinds; guidance points to weaker 3Q25 from seasonal bonus costs and softer demand. </li>
<li>
Automotive, OLED, WiseEye AI, and WLO/CPO remain multi-year growth drivers; CPO mass production targeted for 2026 with early-stage annualized revenue potential above US$100m.</li>
<li>
Shares likely fell on weak near-term outlook, but structural leadership in automotive display ICs, AI sensing, and optical technologies underpins long-term growth runway through 2028.</li>
</ul>



2Q25 beat on margins, in-line on profit; automotive and non-driver ICs resilient despite macro headwinds; guidance points to weaker 3Q25 from seasonal bonus costs and softer demand. 

Automotive, OLED, WiseEye AI, and WLO/CPO remain multi-year growth drivers; CPO mass production targeted for 2026 with early-stage annualized revenue potential above US$100m.

Shares likely fell on weak near-term outlook, but structural leadership in automotive display ICs, AI sensing, and optical technologies underpins long-term growth runway through 2028.


Himax (HIMX US) - Share Drop: Near-Term Weakness Offset by Structural Automotive & AI Growth Drivers

<ul>
<li>
China’s push for 100% auto chip localization by 2027 poses risk to Himax, which derived 75% of 1Q25 revenue from China. We engaged the company for comments./</li>
<li>
Himax may avoid direct targeting due to Taiwanese roots and local production via CN Nexchip, and we believe is less vulnerable than Western firms like NXP, TI, and Wolfspeed.</li>
<li>
Copackaged Optics (CPO) industry momentum continues to build as Himax continues role alongside TSMC and FOCI; industry moves from Nvidia, AMD validate long-term optical interconnect opportunity Himax is positioned for.</li>
</ul>



China’s push for 100% auto chip localization by 2027 poses risk to Himax, which derived 75% of 1Q25 revenue from China. We engaged the company for comments./

Himax may avoid direct targeting due to Taiwanese roots and local production via CN Nexchip, and we believe is less vulnerable than Western firms like NXP, TI, and Wolfspeed.

Copackaged Optics (CPO) industry momentum continues to build as Himax continues role alongside TSMC and FOCI; industry moves from Nvidia, AMD validate long-term optical interconnect opportunity Himax is positioned for.


TechChain Insights: Himax Threatened by China Auto Chip Push? CPO Tech with TSMC Remains Bright Spot

<ul>
<li>We hosted a conference call recently with Himax management, the global leader in automotive touch display controllers; the company is experiencing a uniquely stronger automotive supply/demand environment than some peers.</li>
<li>Discussed in detail how larger or more sophisticated interior displays can drive higher dollar content of display controllers per vehicle. We examine trending new car designs with much larger displays.</li>
<li>We forecast an exponential jump-up in display controller content value per vehicle as beautiful display designs are becoming key USP for auto brands; Maintain our Structural Long rating for Himax.</li>
</ul>


We hosted a conference call recently with Himax management, the global leader in automotive touch display controllers; the company is experiencing a uniquely stronger automotive supply/demand environment than some peers.
Discussed in detail how larger or more sophisticated interior displays can drive higher dollar content of display controllers per vehicle. We examine trending new car designs with much larger displays.
We forecast an exponential jump-up in display controller content value per vehicle as beautiful display designs are becoming key USP for auto brands; Maintain our Structural Long rating for Himax.


TechChain Insights: Call with Himax, How New In-Car Displays Can Quadruple Chip Content Per Vehicle

<ul>
<li>Readthrough: Automotive Applications End-Demand -- China Market Soft But Touch and Dimming Technology is Expanding</li>
<li>Readthrough: Panel Makers Constraining Supply in 1Q24 to Protect Pricing</li>
<li>Readthrough: Customers Are Restocking Notebooks in 1Q24E, PC Replacement Cycle is Coming</li>
</ul>


Readthrough: Automotive Applications End-Demand -- China Market Soft But Touch and Dimming Technology is Expanding
Readthrough: Panel Makers Constraining Supply in 1Q24 to Protect Pricing
Readthrough: Customers Are Restocking Notebooks in 1Q24E, PC Replacement Cycle is Coming


Himax: Industry Readthrough for Automotives, Notebooks, and Edge AI Applications

Taiwan

Himax Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures integrated circuits.  The Company produces liquid crystal displays (LCD).

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Himax Technologies Inc Adr (HIMX US)

Himax: Signs of Automotive Demand Rebound; Why Demand Strength Is Different Than NXP and Infineon

Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Himax Threatened by China Auto Chip Push? CPO Tech with TSMC Remains Bright Spot

China's push for auto chip localization poses some risk to Himax, but its local production may offer some protection. Himax's role in Copackaged...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Call with Himax, How New In-Car Displays Can Quadruple Chip Content Per Vehicle

We discussed in depth the company's latest insights in how larger interior displays in autos are driving higher dollar content of display...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Himax: Industry Readthrough for Automotives, Notebooks, and Edge AI Applications

China's automotive market is weak, but touch and dimming technology is expanding rapidly. Panel makers are limiting supply to maintain prices in...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Himax: Signs of Automotive Demand Rebound; Why Demand Strength Is Different Than NXP and Infineon

​Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Himax (HIMX US) - Share Drop: Near-Term Weakness Offset by Structural Automotive & AI Growth Drivers

​2Q25 saw strong margins but weaker 3Q25 expected; long-term growth drivers in automotive, OLED, AI, and optical tech remain solid despite near...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Himax Threatened by China Auto Chip Push? CPO Tech with TSMC Remains Bright Spot

​China's push for auto chip localization poses some risk to Himax, but its local production may offer some protection. Himax's role in Copackaged...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Call with Himax, How New In-Car Displays Can Quadruple Chip Content Per Vehicle

We discussed in depth the company's latest insights in how larger interior displays in autos are driving higher dollar content of display...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Himax: Industry Readthrough for Automotives, Notebooks, and Edge AI Applications

​China's automotive market is weak, but touch and dimming technology is expanding rapidly. Panel makers are limiting supply to maintain prices in...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

2Q25 saw strong margins but weaker 3Q25 expected; long-term growth drivers in automotive, OLED, AI, and optical tech remain solid despite near...

China's push for auto chip localization poses some risk to Himax, but its local production may offer some protection. Himax's role in Copackaged...

China's automotive market is weak, but touch and dimming technology is expanding rapidly. Panel makers are limiting supply to maintain prices in...