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GFS vs. UMC: GLOBALFOUNDRIES vs. United Microelectronics Stock Comparison

How do GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC) are both classified in the Semiconductors sub-industry within the broader Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

United Microelectronics (UMC) has more than two decades of public-market history since September 19, 2000, whereas GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) listed on October 28, 2021 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) trades as ordinary local shares, while United Microelectronics (UMC) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
Profile ItemGFSUMC
NameGlobalFoundries Inc.United Microelectronics Corp. ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesTaiwan
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductorsSemiconductors
Market Capitalization21.53 billion USD34.73 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateOctober 28, 2021September 19, 2000
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

GFS
UMC
GSPC
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Total Return (1Y)19.69%102.63%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-7.06%31.57%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-7.38%11.51%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

GFS
UMC
GSPC
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)62.43%67.94%
Beta (5Y)1.841.77
Max Drawdown (5Y)-61.53%-54.30%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.75M11.82M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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GFS and UMC are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.251.45
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.372.35

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 1.69% and United Microelectronics (UMC) at 20.37% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.69%

Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
GFS
1.69%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

20.37%

Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
UMC
20.37%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

United Microelectronics (UMC) at 31.95% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 2.76%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.76%

Max
63.80%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
GFS
2.76%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

31.95%

Max
63.80%
UMC
31.95%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 12.11% and United Microelectronics (UMC) at 25.09% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

12.11%

Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
GFS
12.11%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

25.09%

Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
UMC
25.09%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
ROE (TTM)1.69%20.37%
ROA (TTM)3.11%5.79%
Net Margin (TTM)2.76%31.95%
Operating Margin (TTM)12.11%25.09%
Gross Margin (TTM)28.47%31.72%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 0.61% and United Microelectronics (UMC) at 2.26% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: United Microelectronics (UMC) reports EPS growth of -12.57%, ranked against its industry; GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Revenue Growth (YoY)0.61%2.26%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-5.74%-5.19%
EPS Growth (YoY)---12.57%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-15.34%-21.92%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 2.58 and United Microelectronics (UMC) at 3.27 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.58

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
GFS
2.58
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.27

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
UMC
3.27
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 0.14 and United Microelectronics (UMC) at 0.17 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.14

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
GFS
0.14
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.17

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
UMC
0.17
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.583.27
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.140.17
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.27-0.60

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 0.66% earns its spot in the top quartile of its industry’s yields; United Microelectronics (UMC) at 19.43% is past the top of its own peer range — territory where a dividend-safety check matters more than the headline number.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.66%

Max
1.37%
GFS
0.66%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

19.43%

UMC
19.43%
Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both pay out more than their industries’ typical bands, and GFS more so: United Microelectronics (UMC) at 37.46% sits above the band, while GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 68.57% exceeds every peer in its group.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

68.57%

GFS
68.57%
Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

37.46%

Max
49.64%
UMC
37.46%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.66%19.43%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)68.57%37.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

United Microelectronics (UMC) at 13.07 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 110.34 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

110.34

GFS
110.34
Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

13.07

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
Q1
23.96
UMC
13.07
Min
8.12
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

United Microelectronics (UMC) at 0.13 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 3.01 prices around its industry’s middle — UMC costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.01

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
GFS
3.01
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.13

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
UMC
0.13
Min
0.00
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) at 1.80 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile against book while United Microelectronics (UMC) at 2.39 is valued near its industry’s middle — GFS is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.

GFS

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.80

Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
GFS
1.80
Min
0.20

UMC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.39

Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
UMC
2.39
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) vs. United Microelectronics (UMC): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS) and United Microelectronics (UMC)
MetricGFSUMC
P/E Ratio (TTM)110.3413.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)3.010.13
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.802.39
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.04%129.43%