We are nearing the end of the first quarter earnings season with results from 436 S&P 500 members or 87.2% of the index’s total membership already out.The results, so far, have not been as disappointing as were anticipated at the onset of the earnings season. As far as the tech sector is concerned, first quarter results from 88.5% of the sector’s total market capitalization in the S&P 500 index are already out. Total earnings were down 5.6% on 1% higher revenues, with 70.2% beating earnings estimates and 51.1% beating revenue estimates. (Read more: How is the Earnings Picture Evolving?)This week, investors will be watching semiconductor stocks closely as a number of them are expected to come up with their quarterly results. The semiconductor industry serves as a driver, enabler and indicator of technological progress. Developments in the industry determine the way we work, transport ourselves, communicate, entertain ourselves and respond to our environment.The industry has been struggling since the last year due to global economic headwinds, such as a slowdown in China and a strengthening dollar. The PC market slump can’t be ignored either. Notably, the overall earnings of the semiconductor industry witnessed a year-over-year decline of 13.1% and 9.7% in the fourth and third quarter of 2015, respectively.So far, bellwethers like Intel INTC and Advanced Micro Devices AMD have reported disappointing earnings results for the quarter.Let’s take a sneak peek into three major companies in the semiconductor space - ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. IMOS, Exar Corp. EXAR and Himax Technologies, Inc. HIMX that will report earnings this week.ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES, a leading provider of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test services ("OSAT"), is slated to report first quarter 2016 results on May 12.For the quarter, ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES has an Earnings ESP of +30.00% and it carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 20 cents.Last quarter, the company posted a negative earnings surprise of 18.18%. Notably, the company has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice in the preceding four quarters, with an average positive surprise of 44.32%. Exar Corp., a leading supplier of high-performance integrated circuits and system solutions, is set to report fourth quarter fiscal 2016 results on May 11.For the quarter, Exar has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and it carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at 6 cents.Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 25.00%. In fact, Exar has a healthy track record of beating earnings, having delivered positive surprises in each of the last four quarters with an average beat of 127.08%. Himax Technologies, a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, will report first quarter 2016 results on May 12.For the quarter, Himax Technologies has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and it carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is poised at 6 cents.Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 100.00%. The company has delivered positive surprises in one of the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 25.00%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ADV MICRO DEV (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report EXAR CORP (EXAR): Free Stock Analysis Report HIMAX TECH-ADR (HIMX): Free Stock Analysis Report CHIPMOS TEC LTD (IMOS): Free Stock Analysis Report INTEL CORP (INTC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research