Bull case
UMC would need investors to value it at roughly 2027x earnings — about 2007x more generous than today's 21x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where UMC stock could go
UMC would need investors to value it at roughly 2027x earnings — about 2007x more generous than today's 21x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 690x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case assumes sentiment or fundamentals disappoint enough to push UMC down roughly 645% from the current price.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

United Microelectronics Corporation is a pure-play semiconductor wafer foundry that manufactures integrated circuits for other companies rather than designing its own chips. It generates revenue primarily from wafer fabrication services — accounting for the vast majority of sales — with additional income from mask tooling, design support, and testing services. Its competitive advantage lies in specialized manufacturing expertise in mature and specialty process technologies — particularly in areas like RFSOI, embedded memory, and high-voltage processes — where it maintains strong customer relationships and technical leadership.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $0.12/— | — | $2.0B/— | — |
| Q4 2025 | $0.20/$0.12 | +66.7% | $59.1B/$1.9B | +2967.7% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.13/$0.12 | +8.3% | $2.0B/$1.9B | +1.8% |
| Q2 2026 | $0.20/$0.12 | +66.7% | $1.9B/$1.9B | +0.2% |
UMC beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $1050 — implies +7943.1% from today's price.
| Metric | UMC | S&P 500 | Technology | 5Y Avg UMC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 20.5x | 19.1x | 22.1x | — |
| Trailing PE | 26.4x | 25.1x | 26.7x | 0.4x+6926% |
| PEG Ratio | 3.63x | 1.72x+111% | 1.52x+138% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 10.1x | 15.2x-33% | 17.5x-42% | — |
| Price/FCF | 21.0x | 21.1x | 19.5x | 1.1x+1794% |
| Price/Sales | 4.6x | 3.1x+48% | 2.4x+90% | 0.1x+5101% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.27% | 1.87% | 1.16% | — |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolUMC generates $50.1B in free cash flow at a 20.8% margin — returns 3.3% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
UMC's operations are heavily concentrated in Taiwan, exposing the company to significant geopolitical risks. Global tensions and potential conflicts in the region could disrupt operations and adversely impact financial performance.
The semiconductor industry is cyclical, with demand and pricing pressures affecting profitability. UMC operates in more commoditized markets, making it vulnerable to slowdowns in demand for electronic devices, which could lead to lower margins.
Rising costs for raw materials, energy, and logistics, driven by geopolitical tensions, are pressuring UMC's profit margins. The company plans to implement price adjustments in the second half of 2026 to mitigate these rising costs.
UMC relies on a limited number of large suppliers, creating vulnerabilities in its supply chain. Disruptions in supply could impact production and delivery timelines, affecting overall operational efficiency.
Analyses indicate that UMC's stock may be overvalued, trading at a premium compared to its historical valuation. This overvaluation poses a risk if the market corrects and aligns with the company's intrinsic value.
UMC offers an attractive dividend yield, but its high payout ratio raises concerns about sustainability. If earnings do not sufficiently cover dividend payments, the company may face pressure to reduce or eliminate dividends.
By avoiding costly leading-edge competition, UMC solidifies its niche but limits growth potential. This strategic choice may hinder the company's ability to capture market share in more lucrative segments.
The increasing risk of cyberattacks, including DDoS and ransomware, necessitates enhanced data security measures. Non-compliance with regulations like NIS2 could also expose UMC to legal and financial repercussions.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
UMC reported a significant surge in net income for the first quarter of 2026, with profits more than doubling year-over-year. This strong bottom-line performance outpaced revenue growth, indicating improved operational efficiency.
The company has demonstrated year-over-year revenue increases, with Q1 2026 sales up 5.5% compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to a rise in wafer shipments driven by robust consumer demand.
UMC's foundry utilization rates have climbed to 79%, up from 69% a year earlier, signaling a healthy increase in demand for its manufacturing services.
Gross margin has improved to 29.2% from 26.7% in the prior-year quarter, reflecting better operational leverage and a favorable product mix.
The company is making continued investments in technology, with its 22nm platform showing record revenue contributions. UMC is also leveraging its 22nm platform, advanced packaging, and silicon photonics to capture structural demand shifts.
UMC plans wafer price hikes in the second half of 2026, which could further boost margins.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMC UMC United Microelectronics Corporation | $34.9B | 20.5x | -13.8% | 20.8% | Hold | -38.6% |
TSM TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | $2.05T | 0.8x | +21.7% | 45.1% | Buy | +8.4% |
GFS GFS GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. | $41.2B | 40.2x | +2.9% | 13.0% | Buy | -30.9% |
IMO IMOS ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES Inc. | $1.9B | 0.7x | +5.9% | 1.1% | Hold | — |
INT INTC Intel Corporation | $543.2B | 103.7x | +3.9% | -5.9% | Hold | -28.7% |
TXN TXN Texas Instruments Incorporated | $255.7B | 37.2x | +10.5% | 29.1% | Buy | -9.7% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
UMC returns 3.3% total yield, led by a 3.27% dividend.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.48 | +4.3% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2024 | $0.46 | -20.9% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2023 | $0.59 | +13.3% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2022 | $0.52 | +81.4% | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2021 | $0.28 | +108.8% | 0.0% | 68.2% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) is rated Hold by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 15 analysts covering the stock, 4 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 8 rate it Hold, and 3 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $9, implying -38.6% from the current price of $14. The bear case scenario is $104 and the bull case is $1383.
The Wall Street consensus price target for UMC is $9 based on 15 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $9 (-38.6% from today), and the low-end target is $9 (-38.6%). The base case model target is $471.
UMC trades at 20.5x times forward earnings. The stock's valuation is broadly in line with the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for UMC in 2026 are: (1) Geopolitical Risks — UMC's operations are heavily concentrated in Taiwan, exposing the company to significant geopolitical risks. (2) Market Cyclicality and Competition — The semiconductor industry is cyclical, with demand and pricing pressures affecting profitability. (3) Cost Inflation — Rising costs for raw materials, energy, and logistics, driven by geopolitical tensions, are pressuring UMC's profit margins. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates UMC will report consensus revenue of $207.5B (-13.8% year-over-year) and EPS of $17.46 (-13.0% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $209.3B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for UMC is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) generated $50.1B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 20.8%. UMC returns capital to shareholders through dividends (3.3% yield) and share repurchases ($0 TTM).