United Microelectronics stock: Q3 margin rises as demand stays firm
Published on 10/29/2026 at 17:51 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSQuarterly momentum and expansion plans
- United Microelectronics reached 92 percent capacity utilization in the third quarter.
- Management expects low-single-digit wafer-shipment growth in the fourth quarter.
- The company is directing expansion toward Singapore, Tainan, advanced packaging and silicon photonics.
United Microelectronics announced its third-quarter 2026 results on October 28, covering the three months ended September 30. The company reported record wafer shipments and approved an additional capital-expenditure budget of approximately USD 3.2 billion. The figures and outlook were published by Business Wire.
What changed since the last report
The new quarterly disclosure adds a more detailed technology mix. Revenue from 22/28nm processes represented 35 percent of wafer sales, while 22nm alone reached 18.3 percent, supported by products such as display drivers, automotive radar and Wi-Fi integrated circuits. That detail gives investors a clearer view of the specialty-node demand behind the reported improvement.
Third-quarter revenue rose 8.0 percent sequentially to TWD 74.24 billion and 25.6 percent year over year. Gross margin increased to 34.0 percent, while operating income climbed 24.7 percent sequentially to TWD 18.64 billion. Net income attributable to shareholders was TWD 16.43 billion, up 9.7 percent from the year-earlier quarter but lower than the preceding quarter because the prior period included a much larger investment gain.
Outlook and investment priorities
Wafer shipments increased 7.3 percent sequentially to 1,212 thousand 12-inch-equivalent wafers, lifting overall capacity utilization to 92 percent. For the fourth quarter, management expects wafer shipments to rise by a low-single-digit percentage, firm U.S.-dollar average selling prices, a gross margin comparable with the third quarter and utilization in the low-90 percent range.
The additional capital budget is intended to accelerate expansion in Singapore and Tainan and align capacity with customer product roadmaps. UMC also said demand for advanced packaging and silicon photonics remains strong. The company expects its 2026 cash-based capital-expenditure budget to be USD 2.0 billion.
At Lang & Schwarz, the valid euro quote was EUR 16.25 on October 29, 2026 at 17:34:42 Berlin time. Investors can follow the real-time quote of United Microelectronics stock.
United Microelectronics Corporation
- ISIN: US9108734057
- Ticker: UMC
- Primary exchange: NYSE
- Lang & Schwarz quote: EUR 16.25 on October 29, 2026 at 17:34:42 Berlin time
- Third-quarter revenue: TWD 74.24 billion for the period ended September 30, 2026
- Capacity utilization: 92 percent in the third quarter
- Sector: Technology / Semiconductors
The broader market context is available in the TAIEX market reports.
