STX vs. UMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at STX and UMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
STX 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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Seagate Technology Holdings plc | United Microelectronics Corporation |
| Country | Singapore | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 57.48 billion USD | 17.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 11, 2002 | September 19, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of STX 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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -12.17% | -2.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 67.20% | 8.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 144.82% | -4.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 162.76% | 8.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.91% | -4.85% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 199.17% | 2.56% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.80M | 46.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.22M | 39.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 65.31% | 21.77% |
| Beta | 1.63 | 0.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
STX
398.07%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 56.93%
- Q3
- 29.31%
- Median
- 7.95%
- Q1
- 5.02%
- Min
- -7.45%
STX’s Return on Equity of 398.07% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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)
STX
17.92%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.92%
- Q3
- 8.33%
- Median
- 4.15%
- Q1
- 1.88%
- Min
- -3.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.92% places STX in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
STX
22.91%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 20.70%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 6.05%
- Q1
- 3.54%
- Min
- -4.90%
STX’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.91% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 398.07% | 10.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 21.42% | 7.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.92% | 17.01% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.91% | 18.50% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.00% | 28.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
STX
0.98
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.90
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.11
STX’s Current Ratio of 0.98 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
STX
51.80
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.34
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 51.80, STX operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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)
STX
6.11
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 143.63
- Q3
- 62.44
- Median
- 17.59
- Q1
- 5.32
- Min
- -23.93
STX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.11 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.98 | 2.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.62 | 1.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 51.80 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.11 | 313.16 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
STX
1.09%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.93%
- Q3
- 3.31%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Yield of 1.09% is consistent with its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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)
STX
35.38%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 136.56%
- Q3
- 76.58%
- Median
- 35.95%
- Q1
- 0.01%
- Min
- 0.00%
STX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.38% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.09% | 6.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.38% | 152.43% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
STX
32.59
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.58
- Q3
- 27.14
- Median
- 21.23
- Q1
- 15.28
- Min
- 8.31
A P/E Ratio of 32.59 places STX in the upper quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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)
STX
5.84
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 6.35
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.04
STX’s P/S Ratio of 5.84 is in the upper echelon for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
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)
STX
136.18
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.94
- Q3
- 8.15
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.32
At 136.18, STX’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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 | STX | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 32.59 | 13.80 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.84 | 2.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 136.18 | 1.58 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 45.83 | 12.20 |