Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

United Microelectron Sp Adr / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Both <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectron-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11540:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalfoundries-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34513:1" rel="noopener">GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS US)</a> saw positive reactions in their stocks following a possible merger news, despite the current instability in the stock markets.  </li>
<li>Although <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalfoundries-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34513:1" rel="noopener">GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS US)</a>'s technology is held above 7nm, it is ahead of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectron-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11540:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US)</a>, which is still certain generations above China’s current technology in general.  </li>
<li>If these two companies wish to merge, there are still some subjective factors that need to be considered, and it will not be easy to get approval.  </li>
</ul>


Both United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US) and GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS US) saw positive reactions in their stocks following a possible merger news, despite the current instability in the stock markets.  
Although GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS US)'s technology is held above 7nm, it is ahead of United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US), which is still certain generations above China’s current technology in general.  
If these two companies wish to merge, there are still some subjective factors that need to be considered, and it will not be easy to get approval.  


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): Merges with GFS? It Should Be a Terrific, but It Won't Be Easy to Happen.

<ul>
<li>The 1Q25 outlook is slightly affected by earthquakes, but production can resume in late 1Q25.</li>
<li>The UMC 12nm project could be in vain if Intel collaborates with TSMC or if TSMC takes over Intel's foundry service.   </li>
<li>UMC's annual revenue could see a -5% year-over-year growth in 2025, but there may be a few percentages increase in wafer shipments.  </li>
</ul>


The 1Q25 outlook is slightly affected by earthquakes, but production can resume in late 1Q25.
The UMC 12nm project could be in vain if Intel collaborates with TSMC or if TSMC takes over Intel's foundry service.   
UMC's annual revenue could see a -5% year-over-year growth in 2025, but there may be a few percentages increase in wafer shipments.  


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Results Could Be Upbeat, but 2Q25 Could Be a Bit Downside.

Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

<ul>
<li>UMC Secures Key Qualcomm Advanced Packaging Order; Breakthrough in High-Growth Chip Supply Chain Segment</li>
<li>Why TSMC Remains Critical for QCOM Manufacturing, Yet UMC Provides a Strong Strategic Counterbalance</li>
<li>UMC Must Prove Itself, but QCOM Win Sparks Optimism for Sentiment and Outlook Recovery -- Maintain TSMC as Structural Long &amp; Rate UMC as Outperform</li>
</ul>


UMC Secures Key Qualcomm Advanced Packaging Order; Breakthrough in High-Growth Chip Supply Chain Segment
Why TSMC Remains Critical for QCOM Manufacturing, Yet UMC Provides a Strong Strategic Counterbalance
UMC Must Prove Itself, but QCOM Win Sparks Optimism for Sentiment and Outlook Recovery -- Maintain TSMC as Structural Long &amp; Rate UMC as Outperform


United Microelectronics: Key QCOM Advanced Packaging Win Signals Client Shift Away from TSMC

<ul>
<li>Given UMC's partnership with Intel to produce chips using Intel's 12nm fab capacity, we believe latest Intel developments increase the opportunity for Intel Foundry to take a stake in UMC.</li>
<li>Intel's Foundry business makes a strong partner for UMC who has deep foundry experience and talent, but doesn't have leading edge fabs nor the balance sheet to build them.</li>
<li>If Intel Foundry Services spins out or Intel strengthens its balance sheet through a deal with Qualcomm/Apollo, the potential for a deeper UMC-Intel Foundry partnership becomes even more compelling.</li>
</ul>


Given UMC's partnership with Intel to produce chips using Intel's 12nm fab capacity, we believe latest Intel developments increase the opportunity for Intel Foundry to take a stake in UMC.
Intel's Foundry business makes a strong partner for UMC who has deep foundry experience and talent, but doesn't have leading edge fabs nor the balance sheet to build them.
If Intel Foundry Services spins out or Intel strengthens its balance sheet through a deal with Qualcomm/Apollo, the potential for a deeper UMC-Intel Foundry partnership becomes even more compelling.


United Microelectronics: Intel Foundry Should Take a Stake; Latest News Makes This More Likely

<ul>
<li>UMC Misses 4Q24 Expectations -- Gross Margin Dips with Flat QoQ Revenue</li>
<li>UMC Guides for 40% Reduction in Capex Budget -- We Believe Signals Strategic Shift to Less Capex Intensive Business Model</li>
<li>Intel 12nm Partnership Remains on Track and is Key Business Model for Future; UMC Sees Improvement in Consumer Electronics Industry Inventories</li>
</ul>


UMC Misses 4Q24 Expectations -- Gross Margin Dips with Flat QoQ Revenue
UMC Guides for 40% Reduction in Capex Budget -- We Believe Signals Strategic Shift to Less Capex Intensive Business Model
Intel 12nm Partnership Remains on Track and is Key Business Model for Future; UMC Sees Improvement in Consumer Electronics Industry Inventories


United Microelectronics 4Q24 Results: Intel Partnership On Track and Is A Key Model for UMC's Future

Taiwan

United Microelectronics Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets integrated circuits (ICs) and related electronic products.  The Company's main products are consumer electronic ICs, memory ICs, personal computer peripheral ICs, and communication ICs.

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United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): Merges with GFS? It Should Be a Terrific, but It Won't Be Easy to Happen.

Stocks of UMC US and GFS US rise on possible merger news despite market instability. GFS ahead in technology but merger faces challenges.

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Results Could Be Upbeat, but 2Q25 Could Be a Bit Downside.

Earthquakes impact 1Q25 outlook can be resumed, UMC's 12nm project at risk with Intel-TSMC collaboration, UMC's revenue may decrease but wafer...

Patrick Liao

United Microelectronics: Key QCOM Advanced Packaging Win Signals Client Shift Away from TSMC

UMC secures key Qualcomm order, providing strategic counterbalance to TSMC in chip supply chain segment. Optimism likely to improve for UMC's...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

United Microelectronics: Intel Foundry Should Take a Stake; Latest News Makes This More Likely

UMC's partnership with Intel could lead to Intel Foundry taking a stake in UMC due to Intel's latest developments and UMC's foundry experience.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

United Microelectronics 4Q24 Results: Intel Partnership On Track and Is A Key Model for UMC's Future

UMC's 4Q24 results disappoint with lower gross margin and flat revenue. Plans to reduce capex by 40% hint at shift to less capital-intensive...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): Merges with GFS? It Should Be a Terrific, but It Won't Be Easy to Happen.

​Stocks of UMC US and GFS US rise on possible merger news despite market instability. GFS ahead in technology but merger faces challenges.

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Results Could Be Upbeat, but 2Q25 Could Be a Bit Downside.

​Earthquakes impact 1Q25 outlook can be resumed, UMC's 12nm project at risk with Intel-TSMC collaboration, UMC's revenue may decrease but wafer...

Patrick Liao

United Microelectronics: Key QCOM Advanced Packaging Win Signals Client Shift Away from TSMC

​UMC secures key Qualcomm order, providing strategic counterbalance to TSMC in chip supply chain segment. Optimism likely to improve for UMC's...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

United Microelectronics: Intel Foundry Should Take a Stake; Latest News Makes This More Likely

​UMC's partnership with Intel could lead to Intel Foundry taking a stake in UMC due to Intel's latest developments and UMC's foundry experience.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

United Microelectronics 4Q24 Results: Intel Partnership On Track and Is A Key Model for UMC's Future

​UMC's 4Q24 results disappoint with lower gross margin and flat revenue. Plans to reduce capex by 40% hint at shift to less capital-intensive...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Stocks of UMC US and GFS US rise on possible merger news despite market instability. GFS ahead in technology but merger faces challenges.

Earthquakes impact 1Q25 outlook can be resumed, UMC's 12nm project at risk with Intel-TSMC collaboration, UMC's revenue may decrease but wafer...

UMC secures key Qualcomm order, providing strategic counterbalance to TSMC in chip supply chain segment. Optimism likely to improve for UMC's...

UMC's partnership with Intel could lead to Intel Foundry taking a stake in UMC due to Intel's latest developments and UMC's foundry experience.

UMC's 4Q24 results disappoint with lower gross margin and flat revenue. Plans to reduce capex by 40% hint at shift to less capital-intensive...