Topic: How To Invest

Hi, Pat: Could you give me your insight on the following companies: AU Optronics and Tower Semiconductor? Thanks. Much appreciated.

Article Excerpt

AU Optronics (ADR), $5.22, symbol AUO on New York (ADRs outstanding: 962.4 million; Market cap: $5.0 billion; www.auo.com), is a Taiwanese maker of flat-panel displays. It also produces a range of solar-power products, including cells and panels, under the BenQ Solar brand. In 2014, AU’s revenue fell 2.0%, to NT$408.2 billion ($12.9 billion U.S.) from NT$416.4 billion in 2013. Sharply lower expenses pushed up earnings per common share to NT$1.83 ($0.06 U.S.) from NT$0.45 (each ADR represents 10 common shares). AU operates in a highly competitive market, but it continues to expand to meet rising demand, including from Chinese smartphone makers, which now account for more than 50% of the company’s total phone-display shipments. AU is also producing the latest products, including large-sized, ultra-high-definition 4K, curved and wide-color-range TV displays, as well as panels for smartwatches. The ADRs trade at 8.4 times this year’s forecast earnings of $0.62 U.S. per ADR AU Optronics is okay to hold, but only for aggressive investors. A: Tower Semiconductor, $16.30,…