UMC stock slips 3.0% as Q3 utilization reaches 92%

Published on 10/30/2026 at 16:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

UMC stock tracks stronger foundry operations after a record wafer-shipment quarter. Management expects steady demand and high utilization into Q4.

Q3 momentum and expansion plans

Third-quarter revenue rose 25.6% year over year as gross margin widened to 34.0%.
Record wafer shipments and 92% utilization strengthened foundry operations.
Management expects low-single-digit shipment growth and utilization in the low 90% range in the fourth quarter.

UMC, US9108734057, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

United Microelectronics reported stronger third-quarter operations on October 28, according to its Business Wire release. At 14.80 euros, United Microelectronics stock traded at Lang & Schwarz at 16:37 CET on Friday, October 30, 2.95% below the 15.25-euro quote in the latest relevant report from earlier that day.

Revenue and margins improve

Revenue for the three months ended September 30 reached NT$74.24 billion, an increase of 8.0% from the second quarter and 25.6% from a year earlier. Gross margin rose to 34.0% from 32.5% in the prior quarter, while operating margin reached 25.1%.

Net income attributable to parent shareholders was NT$16.43 billion, compared with NT$14.98 billion a year earlier. Earnings per ordinary share came to NT$1.32.

Utilization supports specialty demand

Wafer shipments increased 7.3% sequentially to 1,212 thousand 12-inch-equivalent wafers, a record for the company. Capacity utilization reached 92%, up from 85% in the second quarter, with several 12-inch fabs operating at full capacity and 8-inch production recovering.

UMC said 22nm revenue accounted for 18.3% of wafer sales, while 22nm and 28nm together contributed 35%. The company also pointed to continuing customer activity in advanced packaging and silicon photonics.

Q4 outlook and expansion

For the fourth quarter, management expects wafer shipments to increase by a low-single-digit percentage. Average selling prices in US dollars are expected to remain firm, gross margin should be comparable with the third quarter and capacity utilization is projected to stay in the low-90% range.

The board approved an additional capital expenditure budget of approximately US$3.2 billion on October 28. Chief Executive Jason Wang said the investment would accelerate expansion in Singapore and Tainan and align capacity with customer product roadmaps.

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