Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

Equity Bottom-Up

United Microelectron Sp Adr / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>UMC delivered full-year net income roughly in line with consensus forecasts, though reported a capacity utilization drop sequentially.</li>
<li>Capacity utilization fell during the latest quarter despite strength from UMC's 22nm &amp; 28nm offerings due to older capacity weighing down performance.</li>
<li>UMC's latest US$3.3bn capex budget contrasted with the rising cost of advanced fabs shows how Intel's Foundry business will be increasingly needed by the industry.</li>
</ul>


UMC delivered full-year net income roughly in line with consensus forecasts, though reported a capacity utilization drop sequentially.
Capacity utilization fell during the latest quarter despite strength from UMC's 22nm &amp; 28nm offerings due to older capacity weighing down performance.
UMC's latest US$3.3bn capex budget contrasted with the rising cost of advanced fabs shows how Intel's Foundry business will be increasingly needed by the industry.


UMC's Results Show How Intel's New Foundry Business Is Poised to Become More Valuable

Asia and Global Semiconductor and Tech Research

Andrew Lu

United Microelectronics Corp / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
 What production fabs and capacity? Intel's Arizona 10nm Fab 12, 22, 32, which are mostly depreciated. Intel will provide nearly 30k/m 12" capacity for UMC at the first stage.</li>
<li>
 Who's 12nm node and design rule? UMC's tsmc-like 12nm design rule for customers to produce WiFi 7, TV controller, and other products.</li>
<li>
Other discussions include: "Who will operate the fabs?", "How to share sales/profits?", "Mass production time?", "Why benefits to Intel?", "Why benefits to UMC?", "Will TSMC get hurt?"</li>
</ul>



 What production fabs and capacity? Intel's Arizona 10nm Fab 12, 22, 32, which are mostly depreciated. Intel will provide nearly 30k/m 12" capacity for UMC at the first stage.

 Who's 12nm node and design rule? UMC's tsmc-like 12nm design rule for customers to produce WiFi 7, TV controller, and other products.

Other discussions include: "Who will operate the fabs?", "How to share sales/profits?", "Mass production time?", "Why benefits to Intel?", "Why benefits to UMC?", "Will TSMC get hurt?"


Are You Confused About What Intel and UMC Are Working Together?

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

<ul>
<li>The 1Q24F guidance is expected to decrease by 2-3% QoQ. However, we believe there is a good chance of achieving a flat QoQ performance.</li>
<li>Production is expected to be ready by 2027F, with the process likely to be prepared by 2025F and enter pilot run in 2026F.  </li>
<li>The semiconductor market is expected to grow at a high single-digit rate, while the foundry market is expected to grow close to 10% YoY in 2024F.  </li>
</ul>


The 1Q24F guidance is expected to decrease by 2-3% QoQ. However, we believe there is a good chance of achieving a flat QoQ performance.
Production is expected to be ready by 2027F, with the process likely to be prepared by 2025F and enter pilot run in 2026F.  
The semiconductor market is expected to grow at a high single-digit rate, while the foundry market is expected to grow close to 10% YoY in 2024F.  


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Guidance Is Slightly Lower than 4Q23; Intel Project Grasps Attention

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)'s</a> updated revenue outlook for 1Q24F suggests that it could be relatively flat QoQ..</li>
<li>UMC's Asian clients, particularly <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, are experiencing increased demand in 1Q24F.</li>
<li>On the other hand, European and American clients are more bearish in 1Q24F and have not shown signs of improvement yet.</li>
</ul>


The United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)'s updated revenue outlook for 1Q24F suggests that it could be relatively flat QoQ..
UMC's Asian clients, particularly Mediatek Inc (2454 TT) and Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), are experiencing increased demand in 1Q24F.
On the other hand, European and American clients are more bearish in 1Q24F and have not shown signs of improvement yet.


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook Could Be Flat QoQ; Asian Clients Show Optimism.

<ul>
<li>The wafer demand outlook for 1Q24F should be around flat, but ASP (Average Selling Price) is expected to decline by negative mid-single digits.</li>
<li>Compared to 4Q23, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a>'s foundry demand is larger and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>'s foundry demand is downsized in 1Q24F. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a> are currently discussing the allocation issue of 12nm capacity.</li>
</ul>


The wafer demand outlook for 1Q24F should be around flat, but ASP (Average Selling Price) is expected to decline by negative mid-single digits.
Compared to 4Q23, Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)'s foundry demand is larger and Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)'s foundry demand is downsized in 1Q24F. 

United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) and Intel Corp (INTC US) are currently discussing the allocation issue of 12nm capacity.


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook, the Wafer Demand of MediaTek and Samsung.

Taiwan

United Microelectronics Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets integrated circuits (ICs) and related electronic products.  The Company's main products are consumer electronic ICs, memory ICs, personal computer peripheral ICs, and communication ICs.

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United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)

UMC's Results Show How Intel's New Foundry Business Is Poised to Become More Valuable

UMC's net income met expectations, but capacity utilization fell due to older capacity. UMC's capex budget shows the challenges in keeping pace...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Are You Confused About What Intel and UMC Are Working Together?

Are You Confused About What Intel and UMC Are working Together? Customers will use UMC's tsmc-like 12nm design rule to produce WiFi 7, TV...

Andrew Lu

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Guidance Is Slightly Lower than 4Q23; Intel Project Grasps Attention

The 1Q24F guidance may decrease slightly, but there is potential for a steady performance. Production in Intel's Fab is set for 2027F. Currently,...

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook Could Be Flat QoQ; Asian Clients Show Optimism.

UMC's updated revenue outlook for 1Q24F suggests flat growth compared to 4Q23, with increased demand from Asian clients but bearish sentiment from...

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook, the Wafer Demand of MediaTek and Samsung.

The wafer demand for 1Q24F is expected to be flat, but the ASP is projected to decline. MediaTek's demand is larger while Samsung's is downsized....

Patrick Liao

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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UMC's Results Show How Intel's New Foundry Business Is Poised to Become More Valuable

​UMC's net income met expectations, but capacity utilization fell due to older capacity. UMC's capex budget shows the challenges in keeping pace...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Are You Confused About What Intel and UMC Are Working Together?

Are You Confused About What Intel and UMC Are working Together? Customers will use UMC's tsmc-like 12nm design rule to produce WiFi 7, TV...

Andrew Lu

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Guidance Is Slightly Lower than 4Q23; Intel Project Grasps Attention

The 1Q24F guidance may decrease slightly, but there is potential for a steady performance. Production in Intel's Fab is set for 2027F. Currently,...

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook Could Be Flat QoQ; Asian Clients Show Optimism.

​UMC's updated revenue outlook for 1Q24F suggests flat growth compared to 4Q23, with increased demand from Asian clients but bearish sentiment from...

Patrick Liao

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q24F Outlook, the Wafer Demand of MediaTek and Samsung.

​The wafer demand for 1Q24F is expected to be flat, but the ASP is projected to decline. MediaTek's demand is larger while Samsung's is downsized....

Patrick Liao

UMC's net income met expectations, but capacity utilization fell due to older capacity. UMC's capex budget shows the challenges in keeping pace...

UMC's updated revenue outlook for 1Q24F suggests flat growth compared to 4Q23, with increased demand from Asian clients but bearish sentiment from...

The wafer demand for 1Q24F is expected to be flat, but the ASP is projected to decline. MediaTek's demand is larger while Samsung's is downsized....