What happened Shares of Himax Technologies (NASDAQ: HIMX) rose 125.4% over the first six months of 2021, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, as the Taiwanese semiconductor stock looks to benefit from the upgrade cycle in mobile devices. So what Himax's specialty is display imaging processing technologies that are used in automobiles, mobile communication, and televisions. It received a big boost as the global pandemic drove people into their homes and had them sit staring at their smartphones and TVs, as well as a host of other consumer electronics and gadgetry. Image source: Getty Images. Yet the coronavirus outbreak also disrupted supply chains, causing a massive worldwide shortage in computer chips that's led to production delays in computers, mobile devices, autos, and more. But the smartphone upgrade cycle that began in earnest last year with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) releasing the latest iteration of its iPhone has kept demand for display chips high (Apple, though, had previously begun manufacturing its own M1 chip in-house). Now what Himax Technologies is scheduled to report its second-quarter results on Aug. 5, so we'll see what impact, if any, the chip shortage has had on the chipmaker's financials. But there remains a burgeoning demand for its output that should sustain the stock for quite a while. Shares of Himax have quadrupled over the past year, but with the semiconductor industry being typically cyclical in nature, the chipmaker may have ridden this cycle as far as it can go. 10 stocks we like better than Himax TechnologiesWhen our award-winning analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* They just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Himax Technologies wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of June 7, 2021 Rich Duprey has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source