TAINAN, Taiwan, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIMX) ("Himax" or "Company"), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced the retirement of Mr. Eric Li, former Chief IR/PR Officer and Spokesperson. The company appointed Miss Karen Tiao as the new Head of IR/PR and Spokesperson, effective immediately. Miss Tiao joined Himax in 2019 and currently serves as Senior Investor Relations Manager. In her new role ...

Investment Thesis - The investment thesis for Himax Technologies remains valid despite the stock price decrease from $6.70 to $6.32, indicating a potentially attractive entry point for investors [1]. Stock Performance - Himax Technologies' stock is currently trading at $6.32, which is lower than its previous price of $6.70, suggesting a more favorable valuation for potential investors [1].

TAINAN, Taiwan, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Himax Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIMX) ("Himax" or "Company"), a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, today announced that it will hold a conference call with investors and analysts on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. US Eastern Daylight Time and 8:00 p.m. Taiwan Time to discuss the Company's first quarter 2025 financial results. HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FIRST QUARTER 2025 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL ...

Revenue Sources and Customer Concentration - In 2023 and 2024, 85.1% and 82.9% of the company's revenues were derived from display drivers for TFT-LCD and OLED panels, indicating a heavy reliance on this sector[29] - Customer A and its affiliates accounted for 26.4% of the company's revenues in 2024, with the two largest customers together representing over 34% of total revenues, highlighting significant customer concentration risk[34] - In 2023, approximately 76.2% of the company's revenues were from customers headquartered in the PRC, with an expectation to continue increasing sales in the future[80] - As of December 31, 2024, Himax sold products to approximately 300 customers, with the top ten customers accounting for about 76.7%, 74.1%, and 73.6% of revenues in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively[198] - The two largest customers contributed 32.3%, 28.7%, and 26.4% of revenues in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively, indicating a significant reliance on major clients[198] Product Development and Innovation - The company is expanding its product offerings to non-driver products, which may have higher gross margins, including technologies such as Timing controller (TCON), LCoS microdisplay, and CMOS image sensors[31] - The company is focusing on developing innovative display driver solutions to maintain market share and attract new customers, as demand for display drivers may decrease due to technological advancements[40] - The company is investing in the development of non-driver products, but uncertainties exist regarding the successful commercialization and market acceptance of these products[33] - Himax's advanced OLED on-cell touch controllers achieve a touch signal-to-noise ratio of over 45 dB, enhancing reliability in challenging conditions[42] - The company has developed the WiseEye Ultralow Power AI Sensing technology, which combines an ultralow power AI processor, always-on CMOS image sensor, and CNN-based AI algorithm for consumer electronics and AIoT applications[107] Market Challenges and Risks - The average selling prices of TFT-LCD and OLED panels are expected to decline over time, which could negatively impact the company's revenues and profit margins[29] - The company faces risks from industry consolidation among suppliers, which may increase costs and reduce profit margins if price increases cannot be passed on to customers[28] - The company is exposed to risks related to public health epidemics, which could disrupt operations and negatively impact financial results[38] - The company has extended payment terms for certain customers, increasing credit risk and potentially affecting cash flow and liquidity[34] - The company does not have long-term purchase commitments from customers, leading to significant uncertainty and volatility in revenues[60] Competitive Landscape - The company operates in a highly competitive semiconductor market, facing intense competition from larger firms with greater resources[71] - The competitive landscape includes intense competition from fabless display driver companies and integrated device manufacturers, highlighting the need for differentiation in customer relations and product performance[225][226] - In the In-cell TDDI segment, the company competes with Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Synaptics Incorporated, and others[228] - For LCoS microdisplay products, competition includes OmniVision, Syndiant, and alternative technologies like DLP from Texas Instruments[228] - In the power ICs market, the company faces competition from Richtek Technology Corp. and Global Mixed-mode Technology Inc. among others[229] Supply Chain and Manufacturing - The global semiconductor market has experienced a severe foundry capacity shortage since 2020, prompting the company to enter strategic agreements with foundry partners to secure capacity[50] - The company does not have long-term agreements with foundry partners, which may lead to unfavorable pricing and contractual penalties if committed volumes are not met[50] - Access to third-party tape, assembly, and testing services is critical, and any disruptions could harm customer relationships and reduce sales[51] - The company operates primarily in a fabless model, leveraging third-party foundries for wafer fabrication and assembly, which allows for reduced capital expenditures and operational flexibility[203] - The company has made investments in internal capabilities for test program development and engineering testing since 2022, enhancing its manufacturing support[204] Financial and Operational Risks - The company has extended payment terms for certain customers, increasing credit risk and potentially affecting cash flow and liquidity[34] - The company is primarily affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the NT dollar, which could adversely impact operating profit[82] - The company is subject to potential adverse effects from changes in PRC laws and regulations, which could impact its customers and suppliers in China[81] - Any unfavorable changes in ROC tax laws could increase the company's effective tax rate and adversely affect operating results[83] - The company may face difficulties in protecting shareholder interests due to limited judicial precedents regarding shareholders' rights under Cayman Islands law[97] Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions - The company has partnered with FOCI Fiber Optic Communications, Inc. to develop co-packaged optics (CPO) technology, which is expected to enhance bandwidth and reduce power consumption, with small-scale production starting in late 2024[32] - Himax completed the acquisition of Wisepal (now Himax Semiconductor, Inc.) in February 2007, enhancing its competitive position in small and medium-sized product areas[101] - Himax's acquisition of Emza Visual Sense Ltd. in June 2018 aimed to develop visual sensors with improved power consumption and form factor, although the company disposed of its shareholdings in Emza in October 2022[103] - The company has made minority investments in various companies for strategic purposes, enhancing its technology and product offerings[104] Technology and Product Features - The company has developed low power consumption drivers that meet Energy Star 8.0 and 9.0 standards[123] - The automotive OLED touch controller IC is set to enter production in Q3 2024, featuring an industry-leading touch signal-to-noise ratio of over 45 dB[128] - The Front-lit LCoS Microdisplay achieves a brightness of 400,000 nits while consuming only 300 mW of power, setting a new benchmark in the industry[148] - The WiseEye AI total solution supports various CMOS image sensors and operates with power consumption as low as 100uW, targeting always-on applications[187] - Himax Display's LCoS microdisplay technology offers higher brightness and lower power consumption compared to other microdisplay technologies, positioning the company at the forefront of AR glasses and AR-HUD markets[195]

Company Overview - Himax Technologies (NASDAQ: HIMX) is a semi-fabless semiconductor design and manufacturing firm specializing in optical and driver components for displays and sensors [1] - The company ranks in the top-5 in market share within the display technology sector, holding a significant 50% share in the automotive display market [1] Leadership and Background - The founder of Building Benjamins, Benjamin Halliburton, has a long history in investment management, having started his career at Merrill Lynch in 1986 and later founding Tradition Capital Management in 2000 [1] - Halliburton has received accolades such as "PSN Manager of the Decade" for All-Cap in the 2000s and for Dividend Value in the 2010s, showcasing his successful investment strategies [1] - He was recognized as the top-performing portfolio manager at Brundage, Story and Rose, where his "Disciplined Growth Strategy" outperformed the S&P 500 during the 1990s bull market [1]

Core Viewpoint - Himax Technologies, Tata Electronics, and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance India's display semiconductor and ultralow power AI sensing technology ecosystem, aiming for both domestic and global market expansion [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Objectives - The collaboration aims to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end display semiconductor solutions, including chip design, manufacturing, packaging, and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) [2]. - The partnership will focus on developing solutions that meet "Made in India" requirements while enhancing supply chain resilience [2][4]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - This MoU builds on a previous agreement between Tata Electronics and PSMC to establish advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in India, paving the way for innovative display solutions tailored to the domestic market [3]. - The partnership is expected to drive innovation and develop next-generation technologies to meet the growing demands in key industries for display and ultralow power AI sensing technologies [4]. Group 3: Company Profiles - Tata Electronics is a prominent player in the electronics manufacturing industry, established in 2020, with over 65,000 employees and operations across multiple Indian states [5]. - PSMC is the world's seventh-largest pure-play foundry, capable of producing over 2.1 million 12-inch equivalent wafers annually, with a strong commitment to environmental governance [6][7]. - Himax Technologies specializes in display imaging processing technologies and is a leader in automotive display technology, with a significant number of patents granted and pending [8].

Core Viewpoint - Himax Technologies, Tata Electronics, and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance India's display semiconductor and ultralow power AI sensing technology ecosystem, aiming to expand their market outreach both domestically and globally [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Objectives - The collaboration aims to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end display semiconductor solutions, including chip design, manufacturing, packaging, and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) [2]. - The partnership will focus on "Made in India" requirements and the development of next-generation solutions to meet global demand while enhancing supply chain resilience [2][4]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - This MoU builds on a previous agreement between Tata Electronics and PSMC to establish advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in India, paving the way for innovative display solutions tailored to the domestic market [3]. - The partnership is expected to create a powerful ecosystem that addresses both domestic and global needs for display semiconductor products, driving innovation in the sector [4]. Group 3: Company Profiles - Tata Electronics is a prominent player in the electronics manufacturing industry, established in 2020, with over 65,000 employees and operations across multiple Indian states [5]. - PSMC is the world's seventh-largest pure-play foundry, capable of producing over 2.1 million 12-inch equivalent wafers annually, and has a strong commitment to environmental governance [6][7]. - Himax Technologies is a leading fabless semiconductor solution provider, specializing in display imaging processing technologies, with a significant global market share in automotive display technology and a strong portfolio of ultralow power AI sensing solutions [8].

Core Insights - Himax Technologies, Inc. is participating in embedded world 2025, showcasing its WiseEye™ AI technology and innovative optical applications in collaboration with Liqxtal Technology Inc. [1] Group 1: WiseEye AI Technology - The WiseEye AI technology is an integrated endpoint AI solution that includes ultralow power processors, always-on CMOS image sensors, and CNN-based AI algorithms, making it suitable for various AIoT applications [2] - The latest WiseEye2 AI processor is PSA certified, emphasizing a security-by-design approach for reliable AIoT applications [2] - The WiseEye PalmVein Module utilizes bimodal authentication technology for flexible access control, achieving a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of one in a million and a False Rejection Rate (FRR) below 1% [3] Group 2: Thermal Imaging Solutions - Himax, in partnership with Calumino, will present advanced thermal imaging sensing solutions that integrate the WiseEye AI processor and low-power CMOS image sensors, enabling applications such as people flow detection and health monitoring [4] Group 3: Liqxtal Optical Technology - Liqxtal is unveiling several patented products, including Liqxtal® Graph, Liqxtal® Dim, and Liqxtal® Pro-Eye, which enhance smart displays and wearables [5] - The Liqxtal® Pro-Eye display offers a 125-inch virtual screen experience and helps alleviate digital eye fatigue, making it suitable for various industrial applications [6] - Liqxtal® Graph features Bluetooth connectivity and allows dynamic content display on smart eyewear, while Liqxtal® Dim provides adaptive light dimming functionality for smart sunglasses [7][8]

Financial Performance - Q4 2024 revenues reached $237.2 million, a sequential increase of 6.7% and a year-over-year increase of 4.2%, exceeding guidance [8] - Gross margin for Q4 was 30.5%, up from 30% in the previous quarter and 30.3% a year ago, driven by a favorable product mix and cost improvements [8] - Q4 profit per diluted ADS was $0.14, significantly above the guidance range of $0.09 to $0.11, attributed to better-than-expected revenues and improved costs [9] - Full year 2024 revenues totaled $906.8 million, a decline of 4.1% compared to 2023, with net profit increasing to $79.8 million or $0.46 per diluted ADS, up from $50.6 million or $0.29 in 2023 [17][21] Business Line Performance - Revenue from large display drivers was $25 million, an 18.6% sequential decline due to customer destocking and price competition [9] - Small- and medium-sized display driver segment revenues totaled $166.8 million, a 7.4% sequential increase, driven by strong sales in automotive and tablet markets [10] - Non-driver sales reached $45.4 million, a 24.9% increase from the previous quarter, primarily due to a one-time Tcon product shipment [13] - Automotive driver sales saw a mid-teens increase, with TDDI sales surpassing DDIC sales for the first time, reflecting strong demand for TDDI technology [11] Market Performance - Automotive IC sales increased nearly 20% year-over-year in 2024, significantly outpacing overall automotive market growth [18] - Revenue for large panel display drivers decreased by 28.3% year-over-year, while small and medium-sized drivers saw a slight decrease of 0.6% [19] - Non-driver sales increased by 10.6% year-over-year, representing 17.1% of total sales [19] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on automotive TDDI and Tcon technologies, anticipating continued growth in these areas [32] - Himax is advancing in the automotive OLED sector, with numerous projects underway in partnership with leading panel makers [32] - The company is also expanding its technology development beyond display ICs, particularly in the WiseEye AI segment [33] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the automotive business despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, with strict budget and expense controls implemented [16][18] - The company expects Q1 2025 revenues to decrease by 8.5% to 12.5% sequentially due to seasonal demand, but year-over-year performance is expected to range from flat to a 4.6% increase [27] - Management noted that while some peers are experiencing order pullbacks due to tariff factors, this trend has not been observed in the automotive sector [104] Other Important Information - The company had $224.6 million in cash and equivalents as of December 31, 2024, with a strong positive operating cash flow of $35.4 million for Q4 [22] - Inventory levels have declined to a healthy level of $158.7 million, down from $217.3 million a year ago [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on CPO adoption and competition landscape - Management indicated that 2025 will focus on engineering validation with limited revenue contribution expected, while mass production is likely to commence in 2026 [86][91] - The potential annualized revenue for CPO could reach hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on customer demand and market penetration [91][92] Question: Automotive driver IC business outlook - The sequential decline in automotive driver IC sales is attributed to seasonal factors, with inventory levels remaining healthy [102][104] - Gross margin is expected to remain flat, influenced by product mix changes between DDIC and TDDI [105] Question: Automotive revenue mix and design wins - Management noted no significant difference in automotive revenue mix between Chinese and non-Chinese customers, with a strong market presence across major regions [108] - The design win process involves a strict definition, with timelines varying based on technology maturity and customer type [112][115]

EXHIBIT 99.1 Himax Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results; Provides First Quarter 2025 Guidance Q4 2024 Revenues, Gross Margin and EPS All Surpassed Guidance Range Issued on November 7, 2024 Company Q1 2025 Guidance: Revenues to Decrease 8.5% to 12.5% QoQ, Gross Margin is Expected to be Around 30.5%. Profit per Diluted ADS to be 9.0 Cents to 11.0 Cents TAINAN, Taiwan, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Himax Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HIMX) ("Himax" or "Company"), a l ...