United Microelectronics (NYSE:UMC) reported record-breaking bottom-line results for the first quarter of 2026, as a broad recovery in the global consumer electronics market fueled a significant increase in wafer shipments.
The Hsinchu, Taiwan-based foundry posted net income attributable to shareholders of NT$16.17 billion (US$511 million), more than doubling the profit recorded in the same period last year.
Consolidated revenue for the quarter reached NT$61.04 billion (US$1.93 billion), a 5.5% increase year-over-year.
While revenue saw a slight sequential decline of 1.2% from the fourth quarter of 2025, the company’s operating metrics showed marked improvement.
Capacity utilization rose to 79% in the first quarter, up from 75% in the prior period, driven by a 2.7% sequential increase in wafer shipments as customers restocked inventories for display driver ICs and networking chips.
A key highlight of the quarter was the performance of UMC’s specialty process technologies.
Revenue from the 22/28nm nodes accounted for 34% of total sales, with 22nm revenue specifically hitting a record high and representing 14% of the quarterly total.
This shift toward high-value specialty nodes helped UMC maintain a firm gross margin of 29.2% and an operating margin of 18.5%, even as the company navigated a decline in blended average selling prices.
The company’s financial position remains robust, with earnings per share (EPS) of NT$1.29 and earnings per ADS of US$0.204.