Investors love stocks that consistently beat the Street without getting ahead of their fundamentals and risking a meltdown. The best stocks offer sustainable market-beating gains, with robust and improving financial metrics that support strong price growth. Does Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX) fit the bill? Let’s take a look at what its recent results tell us about its potential for future gains.
What we’re looking for
The graphs you’re about to see tell Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX)’s story, and we’ll be grading the quality of that story in several ways:
- Growth: Are profits, margins, and free cash flow all increasing?
- Valuation: Is share price growing in line with earnings per share?
- Opportunities: Is return on equity increasing, while debt to equity declines?
- Dividends: Are dividends consistently growing in a sustainable way?
What the numbers tell you
Now, let’s take a look at Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX)’s key statistics:
HIMX Total Return Price data by YCharts
| Passing Criteria | 3-Year* Change | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth > 30% | 0.6% | Fail |
| Improving profit margin | 53.4% | Pass |
| Free cash flow growth** > Net income growth | 35.3% vs. 22.3% | Pass |
| Improving EPS | 27.2% | Pass |
| Stock growth (+ 15%) < EPS growth | 155.8% vs. 27.2% | Fail |
Source: YCharts.
* Period begins at end of Q1 2010.
** Period begins at end of Q4 2010.
HIMX Return on Equity data by YCharts
| Passing Criteria | 3-Year* Change | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Improving return on equity | 26.1% | Pass |
| Declining debt to equity | 47.6% | Fail |
| Dividend growth > 25% | (42.7%) | Fail |
| Free cash flow payout ratio < 50% | 15.6% | Pass |
Source: YCharts. * Period begins at end of Q1 2010.
How we got here and where we’re going
Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX) earns a respectable, if not strong, five out of nine passing grades today. Yet, its shares have skyrocketed recently (costing it another pass), so investors clearly think there’s a big story here. Part of that story initially circled around a key supplier relationship with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and its next-gen Glass wearable computer, but there might be cause for optimism without being part of the tech world’s most controversial new product. Let’s take a look at the facts on the ground.
This opportunity seems to be just around the corner. Although Google has yet to confirm Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX)’s role in the Glass display overlay (what do you call a screen in a little transparent square, anyway?), there’s also been some intense speculation that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Sony are both using Himax technology, as is Samsung. Himax itself has been tight-lipped about its customer base, but has mentioned that its micro-display driver technology has “a very good number of customers,” and the double-digit growth projections for the company’s second quarter seem to support that assertion.
While Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX)’s dividend payment has not been confirmed yet for 2013, it’s quite possible that the company might raise the payout, as its cash on hand has grown quite a bit in the past six months. As progress continues on sales and earnings, it’s also possible that Himax might pick up a couple of extra passing grades on our analysis. I’d keep my eye on this company. It’s not just a Google Glass story, even though that might have been the catalyst pushing its share price higher.
Putting the pieces together
Today, Himax Technologies, Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:HIMX) has some of the qualities that make up a great stock, but no stock is truly perfect. Digging deeper can help you uncover the answers you need to make a great buy — or to stay away from a stock that’s going nowhere.
The article Is Himax Technologies’ Stock Destined for Greatness? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Alex Planes holds no financial position in any company mentioned here. Add him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter @TMFBiggles for more insight into markets, history, and technology.The Motley Fool recommends Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google and Microsoft.
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