1Q24 results in line with guidance with wafer shipments up 4.5% QoQ
First Quarter 2024 Overview1:
First quarter consolidated revenue was NT$54.63 billion, declining 0.6% QoQ from NT$54.96 billion in 4Q23. Compared to a year ago, 1Q24 revenue increased 0.8% YoY from NT$54.21 billion in 1Q23. Consolidated gross margin for 1Q24 was 30.9%. Net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent was NT$10.46 billion, with earnings per ordinary share of NT$0.84.
Jason Wang, co-president of UMC, said, “In the first quarter, our wafer shipments increased 4.5% QoQ as we saw a pick up in the computer segment. Despite a slight drop in utilization rate to 65%, we were able to maintain relatively healthy margins due to continuous cost control and operational efficiency efforts. Contribution from our specialty business increased to 57% of total revenue, driven by demand for power management ICs, RFSOI chips, and silicon interposers for AI servers. During the quarter, our teams continued to make good progress on key pipeline projects, both customized solutions for customers as well as new technology platforms to serve high-growth segments within the 5G, AIoT, and automotive markets. This includes embedded high voltage, embedded non-volatile memory, RFSOI, and 3D IC solutions. In line with our policy to provide stable and predictable dividends to our shareholders, UMC’s Board of Directors recently approved shareholder cash distribution of approximately NT$3.00 per share, which will be a higher payout ratio than the previous year’s. This is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in May.”
Co-president Wang commented, “Looking ahead to the second quarter, we expect to see an increase in wafer shipments as the inventory situation in the computing, consumer, and communication segments improves to a healthier level. As for the automotive and industrial segments, demand remains muted as the pace of inventory digestion has been slower than anticipated. While we still expect some lingering impact from macro uncertainties and cost headwinds in the near term, we will continue to invest in technology, capacity, and people to ensure UMC is ready to capture the next phase of growth driven by 5G and AI innovations.”
Co-president Wang added, “UMC is proud to be the only semiconductor company globally to receive double “A” rating in CDP’s 2023 Climate Change and Water Security assessment, the foremost standard amongst investors and other stakeholders for measuring transparency and action on environmental issues, for two consecutive years. This is an incredible achievement and I commend all our teams for their commitment to minimizing the environment impact of our business and helping UMC become the sustainability leader in our industry.”
First quarter operating revenues declined 0.6% sequentially to NT$54.63 billion. Revenue contribution from 40nm and below technologies represented 47% of wafer revenue. Gross profit declined 5.1% QoQ to NT$16.90 billion, or 30.9% of revenue. Operating expenses decreased 13.4% to NT$5.75 billion. Net other operating income decreased to NT$0.51 billion. Net non-operating income totaled NT$1.06 billion. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent amounted to NT$10.46 billion.
Earnings per ordinary share for the quarter was NT$0.84. Earnings per ADS was US$0.131. The basic weighted average number of shares outstanding in 1Q24 was 12,414,087,724, compared with 12,414,087,724 shares in 4Q23 and 12,348,880,384 shares in 1Q23. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 12,577,525,057 in 1Q24, compared with 12,589,138,701 shares in 4Q23 and 12,597,236,266 shares in 1Q23. The fully diluted shares counted on March 31, 2024 were approximately 12,577,525,000.
Detailed Financials Section
Operating revenues decreased to NT$54.63 billion. COGS grew 1.6% to NT$37.73 billion, which included 3.7% increase in depreciation. Gross profit fell 5.1% QoQ to NT$16.90 billion. Operating expenses declined to NT$5.75 billion, as Sales & Marketing fell 16.9% to NT$0.68 billion, R&D decreased 13.6% to NT$3.41 billion or 6.2% of revenue, and G&A also declined 11.8% to NT$1.70 billion. Net other operating income was NT$0.51 billion. In 1Q24, operating income declined 6.1% QoQ to NT$11.67 billion.
First Quarter 2024 Overview1:
- Revenue: NT$54.63 billion (US$1.71 billion)
- Gross margin: 30.9%; Operating margin: 21.4%
- Revenue from 22/28nm: 33%
- Capacity utilization rate: 65%
- Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent: NT$10.46 billion (US$327 million)
- Earnings per share: NT$0.84; earnings per ADS: US$0.131
First quarter consolidated revenue was NT$54.63 billion, declining 0.6% QoQ from NT$54.96 billion in 4Q23. Compared to a year ago, 1Q24 revenue increased 0.8% YoY from NT$54.21 billion in 1Q23. Consolidated gross margin for 1Q24 was 30.9%. Net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent was NT$10.46 billion, with earnings per ordinary share of NT$0.84.
Jason Wang, co-president of UMC, said, “In the first quarter, our wafer shipments increased 4.5% QoQ as we saw a pick up in the computer segment. Despite a slight drop in utilization rate to 65%, we were able to maintain relatively healthy margins due to continuous cost control and operational efficiency efforts. Contribution from our specialty business increased to 57% of total revenue, driven by demand for power management ICs, RFSOI chips, and silicon interposers for AI servers. During the quarter, our teams continued to make good progress on key pipeline projects, both customized solutions for customers as well as new technology platforms to serve high-growth segments within the 5G, AIoT, and automotive markets. This includes embedded high voltage, embedded non-volatile memory, RFSOI, and 3D IC solutions. In line with our policy to provide stable and predictable dividends to our shareholders, UMC’s Board of Directors recently approved shareholder cash distribution of approximately NT$3.00 per share, which will be a higher payout ratio than the previous year’s. This is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in May.”
Co-president Wang commented, “Looking ahead to the second quarter, we expect to see an increase in wafer shipments as the inventory situation in the computing, consumer, and communication segments improves to a healthier level. As for the automotive and industrial segments, demand remains muted as the pace of inventory digestion has been slower than anticipated. While we still expect some lingering impact from macro uncertainties and cost headwinds in the near term, we will continue to invest in technology, capacity, and people to ensure UMC is ready to capture the next phase of growth driven by 5G and AI innovations.”
Co-president Wang added, “UMC is proud to be the only semiconductor company globally to receive double “A” rating in CDP’s 2023 Climate Change and Water Security assessment, the foremost standard amongst investors and other stakeholders for measuring transparency and action on environmental issues, for two consecutive years. This is an incredible achievement and I commend all our teams for their commitment to minimizing the environment impact of our business and helping UMC become the sustainability leader in our industry.”
First quarter operating revenues declined 0.6% sequentially to NT$54.63 billion. Revenue contribution from 40nm and below technologies represented 47% of wafer revenue. Gross profit declined 5.1% QoQ to NT$16.90 billion, or 30.9% of revenue. Operating expenses decreased 13.4% to NT$5.75 billion. Net other operating income decreased to NT$0.51 billion. Net non-operating income totaled NT$1.06 billion. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent amounted to NT$10.46 billion.
Earnings per ordinary share for the quarter was NT$0.84. Earnings per ADS was US$0.131. The basic weighted average number of shares outstanding in 1Q24 was 12,414,087,724, compared with 12,414,087,724 shares in 4Q23 and 12,348,880,384 shares in 1Q23. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 12,577,525,057 in 1Q24, compared with 12,589,138,701 shares in 4Q23 and 12,597,236,266 shares in 1Q23. The fully diluted shares counted on March 31, 2024 were approximately 12,577,525,000.
Detailed Financials Section
Operating revenues decreased to NT$54.63 billion. COGS grew 1.6% to NT$37.73 billion, which included 3.7% increase in depreciation. Gross profit fell 5.1% QoQ to NT$16.90 billion. Operating expenses declined to NT$5.75 billion, as Sales & Marketing fell 16.9% to NT$0.68 billion, R&D decreased 13.6% to NT$3.41 billion or 6.2% of revenue, and G&A also declined 11.8% to NT$1.70 billion. Net other operating income was NT$0.51 billion. In 1Q24, operating income declined 6.1% QoQ to NT$11.67 billion.
UMC Reports First Quarter 2024 Results
United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303) (“UMC” or “The Company”), a leading global semiconductor foundry, today announced its cons
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