FLEX vs. UMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FLEX and UMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
FLEX 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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Flex Ltd. | United Microelectronics Corporation |
| Country | United States | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 18.90 billion USD | 17.18 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 18, 1994 | September 19, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FLEX 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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.29% | 0.87% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.17% | -13.30% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.79% | 1.62% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 70.39% | 8.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.96% | -1.93% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 31.15% | -5.34% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.59M | 35.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.46M | 46.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.84% | 21.96% |
| Beta | 1.16 | 0.35 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 29.99%
- Q3
- 15.78%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.55%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s Return on Equity of 16.77% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
UMC
10.76%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.74%
- Q3
- 23.49%
- Median
- 11.60%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -20.69%
UMC’s Return on Equity of 10.76% 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)
FLEX
3.42%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.55%
- Q3
- 12.80%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 3.09%
- Min
- -8.70%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.42% 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
16.69%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.17%
- Q3
- 22.38%
- Median
- 11.95%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -25.16%
UMC’s Net Profit Margin of 16.69% 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)
FLEX
4.78%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 16.04%
- Median
- 9.75%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -12.63%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.78% 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
19.65%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 27.84%
- Median
- 12.45%
- Q1
- 5.15%
- Min
- -28.61%
UMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% 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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.77% | 10.76% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.59% | 7.00% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.42% | 16.69% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.78% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.94% | 29.94% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.64
FLEX’s Current Ratio of 1.30 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
1.77
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.42
- Q3
- 4.70
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.04
UMC’s Current Ratio of 1.77 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.34
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
FLEX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
UMC
0.20
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.22
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
UMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.20 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)
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 101.00
- Q3
- 43.88
- Median
- 13.27
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -18.73
FLEX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.39 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
- 81.10
- Median
- 27.22
- Q1
- 7.28
- Min
- -4.26
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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 1.77 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 1.44 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.39 | 313.16 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.86%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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
7.36%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.16%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Yield of 7.36% 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)
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 161.37%
- Q3
- 67.12%
- Median
- 34.46%
- Q1
- 3.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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
163.64%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 196.12%
- Q3
- 87.72%
- Median
- 26.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 163.64% 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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 7.36% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 163.64% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
21.13
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 73.87
- Q3
- 41.11
- Median
- 25.31
- Q1
- 18.58
- Min
- 8.59
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 21.13 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
UMC
12.87
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 109.37
- Q3
- 57.11
- Median
- 28.95
- Q1
- 22.13
- Min
- 11.14
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/E Ratio of 12.87 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FLEX
0.72
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.74
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.16
- Min
- 0.11
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.72 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.
UMC
2.15
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.09
- Q3
- 10.10
- Median
- 4.82
- Q1
- 2.60
- Min
- 0.93
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/S Ratio of 2.15 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)
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.45
- Q3
- 3.49
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.35
FLEX’s P/B Ratio of 2.53 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
UMC
1.65
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 13.56
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 3.68
- Q1
- 1.89
- Min
- 0.60
UMC’s P/B Ratio of 1.65 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 | FLEX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.13 | 12.87 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | 2.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.53 | 1.65 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.05 | 13.92 |