United Microelectronics (UMC) Tops Q1 EPS by 8.9c, Revenues Beat

United Microelectronics (NYSE: UMC) reported Q1 EPS of $0.149, $0.089 better than the analyst estimate of $0.06. Revenue for the quarter came in at $1.65 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion.

Jason Wang, co-president of UMC, said, “Amid the semiconductor component shortage, we are working with our customers, suppliers and partners to alleviate the capacity tightness across the supply chain. In Q1, robust wafer demand led to full utilization in our manufacturing sites, bringing overall wafer shipments to 2.37 million 8-inch equivalents. For the quarter, our gross profit grew 15.2% QoQ to NT$12.49 billion which partly reflected higher contribution from our 28nm technologies. During the first quarter, we continued to see an increase in 28nm wafer shipments driven by strong wafer demand associated with digital TV, set top box and connectivity chips designed into smartphones. As a result, 28nm revenue grew 18% QoQ, representing 20% of our wafer business. Furthermore, we have started to ship 22nm products to fulfill consumer demand, leading to the recognition of 22nm wafer revenue in 1Q21. We foresee a significant pick up in 22nm product tape outs that will increase our 22/28nm product pipeline, optimize overall product mix and enhance UMC’s foundry share.”

Co-president Wang continued, “Looking into the second quarter, market demand will continue to outpace supply which will lift wafer shipments and blended ASP in USD. Recent market dynamics have provided us and our customers an opportunity to reinforce our capex strategy within our ROI boundary, while trying to alleviate the long term capacity constraint in the supply chain. Therefore, our Board of Directors has approved an investment plan which will expand the capacity at UMC Fab 12A capacity Phase 6 (P6) in Taiwan’s Tainan Science Park through an innovative, win-win partnership model with several leading global customers. The P6 expansion is scheduled for production in the second quarter of 2023, with total investment for the project earmarked at NT$100 billion. In addition to UMC’s previously announced 2021 CAPEX of US$1.5 billion, the bulk of which is allocated towards equipment for the company’s Fab 12A P5 site adjacent to P6, total UMC investment in the Tainan Science Park will reach approximately NT$150 billion over the next three years. The P6 program is supported by a multi-year product alignment between UMC and the involved customers that includes a loading protection mechanism that will ensure the P6 capacity is maintained at a healthy loading level. We look forward to leveraging our No. 1 worldwide foundry market position in multiple areas such as 28nm OLED driver IC production, so we may further strengthen UMC’s semiconductor industry relevance and capture new market opportunities down the road.”

Second Quarter 2021 Outlook & Guidance

Quarter-over-Quarter Guidance:

• Wafer Shipments: To increase by approximately 2%
• ASP in USD: To increase by 3-4%
• Gross Profit Margin: To challenge 30%
• Capacity Utilization: 100%
• 2021 CAPEX: US$2.3 billion

For earnings history and earnings-related data on United Microelectronics (UMC) click here.

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