- March 25, 2014, 9:36 A.M. ET
Himax: Where Is Google Glass? Bank Of America Downgrades
By Shuli Ren
Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded Taiwan-based LCD driver IC vendor Himax Technologies (HIMX) from Buy to Underperform, with a new price target of $12.5. Shares of Himax closed at $13.38 yesterday and opened 7% lower this morning.
The bank is concerned that Himax is not progressing fast enough in their LCoS (Liquid crystal on silicon) business. Here are analysts Daniel Heyler and Kyna Wong:
During our TTB conference, mgmt was positive on LCoS but the listed challenges suggested to us that growth could be more in 2015/16 vs 2H14. Barriers appear to be (1) applications, (2) costs, (3) power (20nm preferred), and (4) technology (optical engine, contrast, brightness). Mgmt viewed this as a niche market in the early stages of development. We remain positive on LCoS opportunities in industrial and games but a broad-based consumer roll-out by Google will be highly calculated; It’s difficult to recover from a flopped consumer electronics new product roll-out.
Essentially, the analysts are saying we should not be expecting Google Glass (GOOG) till next year.
And without the LCoS business, it is hard for Himax to expand profits in a competitive display industry:
The company is competing in a number of highly competitive markets so sharp margin expansion will be difficult without a sharp ramp in LCoS.
Our numbers reflect 2ppt OPM expansion and 28% revenue growth in relatively competitive, high-volume standard products known for undergoing pricing pressure.
http://blogs.barrons.com/emergingmarketsdaily/2014/03/25/himax-where-is-google-glass-bank-of-ameri…
