CLS vs. UMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CLS and UMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CLS is a standard domestic listing, while UMC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Celestica Inc. | United Microelectronics Corporation |
| Country | Canada | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 35.97 billion USD | 17.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 30, 1998 | September 19, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CLS and UMC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -9.93% | -2.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 60.15% | 8.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 209.98% | -4.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 283.87% | 8.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -9.91% | -4.85% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 227.91% | 2.56% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.78M | 46.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.89M | 39.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 65.66% | 21.77% |
| Beta | 2.52 | 0.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CLS
39.60%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
CLS’s Return on Equity of 39.60% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
UMC
10.95%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
UMC’s Return on Equity of 10.95% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CLS
6.35%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
CLS’s Net Profit Margin of 6.35% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
UMC
17.01%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
UMC’s Net Profit Margin of 17.01% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CLS
8.23%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
CLS’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.23% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
UMC
18.50%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
UMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.50% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.60% | 10.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.62% | 7.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.35% | 17.01% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.23% | 18.50% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.04% | 28.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CLS
1.47
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
CLS’s Current Ratio of 1.47 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
UMC
2.34
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
UMC’s Current Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CLS
0.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
CLS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.39 is typical for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
UMC
0.25
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
UMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CLS
36.72
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
CLS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 36.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
UMC
313.16
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 313.16, UMC demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 2.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 1.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.39 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 36.72 | 313.16 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CLS
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
CLS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
UMC
6.46%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Yield of 6.46% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CLS
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
CLS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
UMC
152.43%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 152.43% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 6.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 152.43% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CLS
49.78
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
A P/E Ratio of 49.78 places CLS in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
UMC
13.80
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/E Ratio of 13.80 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CLS
3.16
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
CLS’s P/S Ratio of 3.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
UMC
2.35
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/S Ratio of 2.35 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CLS
13.85
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
At 13.85, CLS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
UMC
1.58
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
UMC’s P/B Ratio of 1.58 is in the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CLS | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 49.78 | 13.80 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.16 | 2.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.85 | 1.58 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 89.60 | 12.20 |