United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC) Downgraded to Underperform Rating by BNP Paribas Exane

BNP Paribas Exane lowered shares of United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC) from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report released on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $8.60 target price on the semiconductor company’s stock.

UMC has been the topic of several other reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of United Microelectronics in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered United Microelectronics from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, December 6th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded United Microelectronics from a “buy” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Microelectronics currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $8.60.

United Microelectronics Price Performance

Shares of UMC stock opened at $11.43 on Wednesday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $8.48 and its 200-day moving average is $7.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 2.34. United Microelectronics has a 52 week low of $5.66 and a 52 week high of $12.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.70 billion, a PE ratio of 22.40, a PEG ratio of 6.63 and a beta of 1.08.

United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The semiconductor company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.93 billion. United Microelectronics had a net margin of 17.08% and a return on equity of 11.18%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.10 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that United Microelectronics will post 0.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Microelectronics during the second quarter worth $27,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in United Microelectronics by 313.7% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,265 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 3,234 shares during the last quarter. Euro Pacific Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Microelectronics during the 3rd quarter worth about $80,000. Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Microelectronics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $77,000. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Microelectronics in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $77,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 5.05% of the company’s stock.

More United Microelectronics News

Here are the key news stories impacting United Microelectronics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results showed sequential and year-over-year revenue growth and healthy margins: consolidated revenue rose to NT$61.81B (up vs 3Q25 and vs year-ago), with a 4Q25 gross margin of 30.7%, signaling continued demand and operating leverage. UMC Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Reported EPS of $0.13 beat the consensus cited by MarketBeat ($0.12); revenue was up ~7% YoY, net margin ~17% and ROE ~11%, indicating decent profitability metrics in the quarter. MarketBeat UMC summary
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript is available for investors wanting management commentary on demand trends, capacity/mix and outlook — review for guidance or margin commentary that could drive near-term sentiment. UMC Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Several outlets reported the quarter as “mixed” and said shares tumbled after the results — media framing of a perceived earnings miss (despite the revenue beat/EPS cited above) appears to have driven selling pressure. UMC shares tumble 10.7% as Q4 earnings miss estimates despite revenue beat United Microelectronics falls amid mixed Q4 results
• Negative Sentiment: BNP Paribas Exane downgraded UMC from Neutral to Underperform and set a $8.60 price target, signaling analyst concern and adding downside pressure versus the current trading level. This downgrade amplifies bearish sentiment. (Source: analyst note summary)

United Microelectronics Company Profile

United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) is a Taiwan-based semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related manufacturing services to a global customer base. Founded in 1980, the company operates as a pure-play foundry, producing integrated circuits for a range of customers including fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers. UMC is publicly listed (NYSE: UMC) and focuses on high-reliability manufacturing rather than branding consumer products.

UMC’s core services encompass wafer fabrication using a portfolio of process technologies, with particular emphasis on mature and specialty nodes that support analog, power-management, radio-frequency (RF), and mixed-signal applications.