Geopolitical risks have increased significantly, especially with the U.S. becoming a less reliable ally under President Donald Trump's increasingly isolationist policies. UMC's exposure to AI demand remains, but the market's enthusiasm has cooled, reducing potential upside catalysts. Despite strong fundamentals like a solid dividend yield and a low price to tangible book value ratio, the stock's price support has weakened since the American election in November.
United Microelectronics stock fell 5% after Citibank downgraded it from buy to sell, citing gross margin weakness and competitive pressures. The company reported lower-than-expected earnings for Q4, driven by lower gross margins and non-operating income expenses. Despite challenges, UMC maintains a strong cash position and plans to continue a strong dividend policy.
UMC's Q4'24 results were modestly disappointing, with a small operating miss driven by gross margin pressures, and 2025 guidance that was better than bears feared, but not thesis-changing. Demand should recover in 2025 as inventories have been run down across multiple markets (auto, consumer, industrial, wireless, et al), but pricing remains a risk. UMC's advanced packaging capabilities are a solid positive driver, as is the possibility of increased protectionism driving more volumes to their non-Chinese fabs.
United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC ) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call January 21, 2025 4:00 AM ET Company Participants Michael Lin - Head of Investor Relations Jason Wang - President Chitung Liu - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Sunny Lin - UBS Gokul Hariharan - JPMorgan Brad Lin - Bank of America Merrill Lynch Charlie Chan - Morgan Stanley Bruce Lu - Goldman Sachs Jason Zhang - CLSA Operator Welcome everyone to UMC's 2024 Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent background noise.
United Microelectronics signs a deal with Fengmiao I Offshore Wind Farm, advancing its net-zero transition with a 42% emissions reduction target by 2030.
United Microelectronics faces stiff competition and currency headwinds, but its expanding portfolio and strong partnerships in the semiconductor sector offer growth potential.
United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE:UMC ) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call October 30, 2024 5:00 AM ET Company Participants Michael Lin - Head of IR Chi-Tung Liu - CFO Jason Wang - President Conference Call Participants Sunny Lin - UBS Gokul Hariharan - J.P. Morgan Laura Chen - Citi Charlie Chan - Morgan Stanley.
United Microelectronics (UMC) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
United Microelectronics (UMC) is technically in oversold territory now, so the heavy selling pressure might have exhausted. This along with strong agreement among Wall Street analysts in raising earnings estimates could lead to a trend reversal for the stock.
Investors interested in Electronics - Semiconductors stocks are likely familiar with United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and GlobalFoundries Inc. (GFS). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Investors interested in stocks from the Electronics - Semiconductors sector have probably already heard of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) and GlobalFoundries Inc. (GFS). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors?