UMC downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs analyst Bruce Lu downgraded UMC (UMC) to Sell from Neutral with a price target of NT$40.50, down from NT$44.50 as part of a broader research note citing “heightened” appreciation of Taiwan currency vs. US Dollar. The currency mismatch, where UMC’s revenues are highly USD-denominated and the majority of its operating costs are based in TWD, will directly erode the company’s profitability, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm further cites the headwinds of intensifying competition from mainland Chinese peers still remaining as the key downside risk to the company, along with the increasing depreciation, rising costs, and unfavorable FX trend.