UMC vs. ZBRA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at UMC and ZBRA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
UMC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, ZBRA is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | United Microelectronics Corporation | Zebra Technologies Corporation |
| Country | Taiwan | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 18.61 billion USD | 15.24 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | September 19, 2000 | August 15, 1991 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of UMC and ZBRA 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 | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.76% | -3.67% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.64% | -3.63% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.24% | 3.17% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.46% | -19.38% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 12.47% | -6.29% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.81% | -23.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 67.01M | 0.46M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 46.94M | 0.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.91% | 36.49% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 1.82 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
UMC
10.76%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 47.13%
- Q3
- 23.50%
- Median
- 9.94%
- Q1
- 0.86%
- 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.
ZBRA
15.38%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 21.57%
- Q3
- 13.27%
- Median
- 8.55%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -4.21%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, ZBRA’s Return on Equity of 15.38% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
UMC
16.69%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 23.88%
- Median
- 10.17%
- Q1
- 1.21%
- Min
- -32.15%
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.
ZBRA
10.56%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 17.31%
- Q3
- 10.85%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -3.00%
ZBRA’s Net Profit Margin of 10.56% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
UMC
19.65%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.54%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 3.31%
- Min
- -28.36%
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.
ZBRA
15.30%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 30.04%
- Q3
- 15.08%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.27%
- Min
- -3.83%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.30% places ZBRA in the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.76% | 15.38% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.00% | 6.96% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.69% | 10.56% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.65% | 15.30% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.94% | 48.59% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
UMC
1.77
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.58
- Q3
- 4.24
- Median
- 2.73
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 1.02
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.
ZBRA
1.46
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 4.57
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.62
ZBRA’s Current Ratio of 1.46 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
UMC
0.20
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.25
- 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.
ZBRA
0.60
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 0.54
- Median
- 0.30
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
ZBRA’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
UMC
313.16
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 74.71
- Median
- 26.06
- 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.
ZBRA
7.83
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 79.05
- Q3
- 36.62
- Median
- 12.51
- Q1
- 3.72
- Min
- -18.73
ZBRA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.83 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.77 | 1.46 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.44 | 0.98 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.20 | 0.60 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 313.16 | 7.83 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
UMC
6.57%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.72%
- Q3
- 1.51%
- Median
- 0.69%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Yield of 6.57% 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.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.36%
- Q3
- 2.53%
- Median
- 1.28%
- Q1
- 0.16%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
UMC
163.64%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 205.27%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 27.13%
- 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.
ZBRA
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 218.94%
- Q3
- 90.25%
- Median
- 38.81%
- Q1
- 3.69%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZBRA 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 6.57% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 163.64% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
UMC
14.43
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 106.30
- Q3
- 61.93
- Median
- 38.96
- Q1
- 23.71
- Min
- 13.06
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/E Ratio of 14.43 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
ZBRA
29.78
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 74.74
- Q3
- 42.40
- Median
- 26.55
- Q1
- 20.05
- Min
- 10.12
ZBRA’s P/E Ratio of 29.78 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
UMC
2.41
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 19.99
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 5.23
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.13
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/S Ratio of 2.41 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.
ZBRA
3.14
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.58
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.20
ZBRA’s P/S Ratio of 3.14 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
UMC
1.65
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.22
- Q3
- 6.94
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 1.99
- Min
- 0.67
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.
ZBRA
4.34
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 6.92
- Q3
- 3.80
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.44
ZBRA’s P/B Ratio of 4.34 is in the upper tier for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | UMC | ZBRA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 14.43 | 29.78 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.41 | 3.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.65 | 4.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.59 | 19.13 |