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United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC)
NYSE:UMC

United Micro (UMC) AI Stock Analysis

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UM

United Micro

(NYSE:UMC)

79Outperform
United Micro's stock is robustly positioned in the semiconductor industry, backed by strong financial performance and reasonable valuation. The technical indicators suggest positive momentum, although caution is warranted due to potential overbought signals. The earnings call revealed both growth opportunities and challenges, with uncertainties impacting the outlook. Overall, UMC presents a solid investment case with some areas requiring close monitoring.
Positive Factors
Geopolitical Influence
Geopolitical dynamics could provide upside as the US government is likely to respond with anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, potentially benefiting global trailing-edge foundry companies.
Innovation and Technology
Continued innovation with new specialty offerings strengthens UMC’s technology roadmap.
Merger Potential
A potential merger would create the second largest foundry globally behind TSMC, with improved economies of scale, bargaining power, and the ability to manage competition.
Negative Factors
Financial Performance
Higher depreciation expenses are expected to increase by 27-29% in 2025, which could impact financial performance.
Inventory Challenges
Prolonged automotive/industrial inventory adjustments may persist, weighing on performance.
Regulatory Concerns
The authorities may oppose the merger due to national security and job displacement reasons.

United Micro (UMC) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

United Micro Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnited Microelectronics Corporation operates as a semiconductor wafer foundry in Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company provides circuit design, mask tooling, wafer fabrication, and assembly and testing services. It serves fabless design companies and integrated device manufacturers. United Microelectronics Corporation was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
How the Company Makes MoneyUMC makes money primarily through its foundry services, where it manufactures semiconductor wafers for fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) on a contract basis. The company generates revenue by charging its clients for the use of its manufacturing facilities to produce semiconductor devices. UMC's key revenue streams include wafer fabrication services, where customers pay for the production of wafers designed to their specifications. Additionally, UMC benefits from long-term partnerships and collaborations with leading technology companies, which help ensure a steady demand for its manufacturing services. The company's earnings are significantly influenced by the demand for semiconductor components across various industries, technological advancements in chip design, and its capacity to offer competitive pricing and high-quality manufacturing processes.

United Micro Financial Statement Overview

Summary
United Micro's financial performance is strong, with robust profitability and a solid balance sheet. The income statement shows a consistent gross profit margin and solid revenue growth, though net income has declined slightly. The balance sheet is healthy with low debt and effective use of equity. Cash flow management is efficient, though there's a concern with declining free cash flow growth. Overall, financial health is strong but maintaining net income growth is crucial.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
United Micro's income statement shows strong profitability, with a consistent gross profit margin and robust net profit margin. The TTM shows a gross profit margin of 31.16% and a net profit margin of 18.91%. The revenue growth rate from 2023 to TTM is 5.38%, indicating solid growth. However, the slight decline in net income suggests potential challenges in maintaining profit momentum. Overall, the company's profitability and revenue growth are commendable, but maintaining net income growth will be crucial.
Balance Sheet
88
Very Positive
The balance sheet of United Micro is solid, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15 and a strong equity ratio of 68.17% in the TTM period. The return on equity (ROE) stands at 11.40%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. The company's financial stability is underscored by a significant equity base and prudent leverage practices, positioning it well for future growth. However, a slight increase in total liabilities warrants monitoring.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
United Micro's cash flow statement highlights a strong operating cash flow, with a healthy operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.18 in the TTM period. Free cash flow growth rate is negative from 2023 to TTM, which is a concern, but the free cash flow to net income ratio remains positive. The company efficiently generates cash from operations, but the decrease in free cash flow suggests potential challenges in capital expenditure management.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
232.30B222.53B278.71B213.01B176.82B
Gross Profit
75.65B77.74B125.76B72.05B39.00B
EBIT
51.61B57.89B104.29B51.69B22.01B
EBITDA
97.35B105.85B153.72B102.08B71.97B
Net Income Common Stockholders
47.21B59.69B89.48B51.25B22.86B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
115.24B144.88B178.60B170.90B109.57B
Total Assets
570.20B546.58B533.05B464.43B377.52B
Total Debt
81.46B64.16B45.61B46.82B41.41B
Net Debt
-23.54B-68.39B-128.20B-85.80B-52.64B
Total Liabilities
192.02B202.86B197.60B183.22B141.74B
Stockholders Equity
377.93B343.38B335.11B280.98B235.66B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
5.33B-8.02B62.98B40.39B37.39B
Operating Cash Flow
93.87B86.00B145.86B90.35B65.75B
Investing Cash Flow
-85.94B-97.79B-54.43B-62.16B-40.11B
Financing Cash Flow
-39.20B-29.09B-57.25B12.49B-25.60B

United Micro Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price6.92
Price Trends
50DMA
6.67
Positive
100DMA
6.48
Positive
200DMA
7.21
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.09
Negative
RSI
55.20
Neutral
STOCH
50.15
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UMC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 6.92 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 6.72, above the 50-day MA of 6.67, and below the 200-day MA of 7.21, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.09 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 55.20 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.15 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UMC.

United Micro Risk Analysis

United Micro disclosed 46 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. United Micro reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

United Micro Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (59)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
UMUMC
79
Outperform
$17.43B12.5911.65%5.09%2.22%-22.39%
ASASX
74
Outperform
$18.41B18.6610.32%2.62%-0.62%-1.08%
STSTM
69
Neutral
$20.58B19.736.33%1.31%-25.35%-70.00%
ONON
68
Neutral
$16.90B11.0218.97%-14.19%-27.42%
66
Neutral
$25.28B82.904.71%3.87%-44.31%-86.74%
GFGFS
59
Neutral
$19.48B28.15-2.42%-8.69%-125.98%
59
Neutral
$10.72B10.37-6.60%3.02%7.37%-11.29%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UMC
United Micro
6.92
-0.47
-6.36%
ASX
ASE Technology Holding Co
8.70
-1.13
-11.50%
MCHP
Microchip
45.92
-43.83
-48.84%
ON
ON Semiconductor
38.86
-31.30
-44.61%
STM
STMicroelectronics
22.98
-16.16
-41.29%
GFS
GlobalFoundries Inc
34.65
-14.23
-29.11%

United Micro Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 1.76%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of positive achievements, such as revenue growth and strategic expansions, alongside significant challenges including margin declines and uncertainties in the second half. While there are positive expectations for Q2, the uncertainties clouding the outlook temper the optimism.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and Growth Metrics
First quarter of 2025 consolidated revenue was NT$57.86 billion with a 5.9% year-over-year increase in revenue due to a 12% increase in wafer shipments.
22 and 28 Nanometer Achievements
22 and 28 nanometer revenue reached a record high, representing 37% of total sales, driven by a 46% quarter over quarter increase in 22 nanometer revenue.
Singapore Phase 3 Fab Inauguration
Inauguration of new Singapore Phase 3 fab, with pilot runs starting and volume production expected in early 2026.
Strong Cash Position
Cash position remained strong at NT$106 billion as of March 31, 2025.
Expected Rebound in Q2 2025
Anticipated moderate rebound in demand with wafer shipment expected to increase by 5% to 7% sequentially.
Negative Updates
Decline in Gross Margin
Gross margin impacted by lower ASP and an earthquake, falling to 26.7% with a 25% year-over-year net income decline.
One-time Price Adjustment Impact
One-time price adjustment at the beginning of the year contributed to a revenue decline, with ASP declining by about 4% to 5% in Q1.
Challenges with Depreciation and Costs
High depreciation costs from new facilities and increased operational costs impacted financial performance.
Limited Visibility and Uncertainty in Second Half of 2025
Uncertainties in the second half due to geopolitical tensions and potential tariff impacts, with limited visibility on demand.
Weakness in Automotive Segment
Automotive segment declined due to softness in microcontrollers, DDI, and power management, with high inventory levels.
Company Guidance
During UMC's 2025 Q1 earnings call, CFO Chitung Liu provided guidance for the second quarter, highlighting key metrics. The company anticipates a 5% to 7% sequential increase in wafer shipments, with average selling prices (ASP) in U.S. dollar terms expected to remain flat. Gross margin is projected to recover to approximately 30%, and capacity utilization rates are expected to reach the mid-70% range. UMC plans to maintain its 2025 capital expenditure at $1.8 billion. The company is also focusing on technology differentiation and cost reduction initiatives, alongside expanding its geographic manufacturing footprint to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.