UMC announces partnership with customers for NT$100 billion capacity expansion at Fab 12A P6

First Quarter 2021 Overview¹:

• Revenue: NT$47.10 billion (US$1.65 billion)
• Gross margin: 26.5%; Operating margin: 16.2%
• Revenue from 28nm: 20%
• Capacity utilization rate: 100%
• Net income attributable to stockholders of the parent: NT$10.43 billion (US$366 million)
• Earnings per share: NT$0.85; earnings per ADS: US$0.149

United Microelectronics Corporation (NYSE: UMC; TWSE: 2303) (“UMC” or “The Company”), a leading global semiconductor foundry, today announced its consolidated operating results for the first quarter of 2021.

First quarter consolidated revenue was NT$47.10 billion, which increased 4.0% QoQ from NT$45.30 billion in 4Q20. Compared to a year ago, 1Q21 revenue was up 11.4% YoY from NT$42.27 billion in 1Q20. Consolidated gross margin for 1Q21 was 26.5%. Net income attributable to the stockholders of the parent was NT$10.43 billion, with earnings per ordinary share of NT$0.85.

Jason Wang, co-president of UMC, said, “Amid the semiconductor component shortage, we are working with our customers, suppliers and partners to alleviate the capacity tightness across the supply chain. In Q1, robust wafer demand led to full utilization in our manufacturing sites, bringing overall wafer shipments to 2.37 million 8-inch equivalents. For the quarter, our gross profit grew 15.2% QoQ to NT$12.49 billion which partly reflected higher contribution from our 28nm technologies. During the first quarter, we continued to see an increase in 28nm wafer shipments driven by strong wafer demand associated with digital TV, set top box and connectivity chips designed into smartphones. As a result, 28nm revenue grew 18% QoQ, representing 20% of our wafer business. Furthermore, we have started to ship 22nm products to fulfill consumer demand, leading to the recognition of 22nm wafer revenue in 1Q21. We foresee a significant pick up in 22nm product tape outs that will increase our 22/28nm product pipeline, optimize overall product mix and enhance UMC’s foundry share.”

Co-president Wang continued, “Looking into the second quarter, market demand will continue to outpace supply which will lift wafer shipments and blended ASP in USD. Recent market dynamics have provided us and our customers an opportunity to reinforce our capex strategy within our ROI boundary, while trying to alleviate the long term capacity constraint in the supply chain. Therefore, our Board of Directors has approved an investment plan which will expand the capacity at UMC Fab 12A capacity Phase 6 (P6) in Taiwan’s Tainan Science Park through an innovative, win-win partnership model with several leading global customers. The P6 expansion is scheduled for production in the second quarter of 2023, with total investment for the project earmarked at NT$100 billion. In addition to UMC’s previously announced 2021 CAPEX of US$1.5 billion, the bulk of which is allocated towards equipment for the company’s Fab 12A P5 site adjacent to P6, total UMC investment in the Tainan Science Park will reach approximately NT$150 billion over the next three years. The P6 program is supported by a multi-year product alignment between UMC and the involved customers that includes a loading protection mechanism that will ensure the P6 capacity is maintained at a healthy loading level. We look forward to leveraging our No. 1 worldwide foundry market position in multiple areas such as 28nm OLED driver IC production, so we may further strengthen UMC’s semiconductor industry relevance and capture new market opportunities down the road.”

Summary of Operating Results

Operating revenues in 1Q21 grew 4.0% to NT$47.10 billion. Revenue contribution from 40nm and below technologies remained at to 40%. Gross profit grew 15.2% QoQ to NT$12.49 billion, or 26.5% of revenue. Operating expenses declined 6.4% to NT$5.93 billion. Net other operating income declined to NT$1.06 billion. Net non-operating income was NT$3.36 billion. Net income attributable to stockholders of the parent declined slightly to NT$10.43 billion.

Earnings per ordinary share for the quarter was NT$0.85. Earnings per ADS was US$0.149. The basic weighted average number of outstanding shares in 1Q21 was 12,206,292,756, compared with 12,206,292,756 shares in 4Q20 and 11,782,936,260 shares in 1Q20. The diluted weighted average number of outstanding shares was 12,381,821,873 in 1Q21, compared with 12,359,115,536 shares in 4Q20 and 13,087,825,472 shares in 1Q20. The fully diluted shares counted on March 31, 2021 were approximately 12,397,900,000.

Detailed Financials Section

Operating revenues increased to NT$47.10 billion. COGS remained at NT$34.60 billion, as depreciation and other manufacturing costs remained relatively flat compared to 4Q20. Gross profit increased 15.2% QoQ to NT$12.49 billion, reflecting higher contribution from 28nm wafer shipments. Operating expenses decreased 6.4% QoQ to NT$5.93 billion, as G&A declined 8.2% sequentially to NT$1.81 billion and Sales & Marketing fell 7.2% QoQ to NT$1.09 billion. R&D declined 4.5% sequentially to NT$3.05 billion, representing 6.5% of 1Q21 operating revenues. Net other operating income was NT$1.06 billion. In 1Q21, operating income surged 35.7% QoQ to NT$7.62 billion.

Net non-operating income in 1Q21 was NT$3.36 billion, mainly resulting from NT$3.53 billion in net investment gain, as well as a NT$93 million in exchange gain, offset by a NT$272 million in net interest expense.

In 1Q21, cash inflow from operating activities was NT$18.28 billion. Cash outflow from investing activities totaled NT$7.12 billion, which included NT$7.81 billion in capital expenditure, resulting in free cash flow of NT$10.47 billion. Cash inflow from financing activities was NT$2.58 billion, mainly due to NT$2.37 billion in bank loans. Net cash inflow in 1Q21 was NT$13.24 billion. Over the next 12 months, the company expects to repay NT$5.43 billion in bank loans.

Cash and cash equivalents increased to NT$107.29 billion. Days of inventory decreased by a day to 59 days.

Current liabilities remained at NT$78.53 billion, mainly from NT$37.28 billion in short-term credit/bonds, which was a decrease from NT$38.04 billion in Q4. Long-term credit/bonds increased to NT$27.70 billion. Total liabilities increased slightly to NT$144.59 billion, leading to a debt to equity ratio of 58%.

Analysis of Revenue²

Revenue from Asia Pacific rose to 63% as business from North America declined to 23% of sales. Business from Europe was 8% while contribution from Japan increased to 6%.

Revenue contribution from 28nm increased to 20% of the business while 40nm contribution declined to 20% of sales.

Revenue from fabless customers decreased to 86% of revenue.

Revenue from the communication segment declined to 46%, while business from computer applications remained at 16%. Business from consumer applications increased to 27% as other segments increased to 11%.

Blended ASP Trend

Blended average selling price (ASP) increased in 1Q21.

(To view blended ASP trend, please click here for 1Q21 ASP)

Shipment and Utilization Rate³

In 1Q21, wafer shipments increased 3.4% QoQ to 2,372K, while quarterly capacity declined to 2,280K due to fewer working days. Overall utilization rate in 1Q21 was 100%.

Capacity⁴

Total capacity in the first quarter was 2,280K 8-inch equivalent wafers. Capacity is expected to increase by 4% QoQ in the second quarter to 2,370K 8-inch equivalent wafers, mainly reflecting the capacity expansion at Fab 8N, Fab 12A and Fab 12X.

⁽¹⁾ One 6-inch wafer is converted into 0.5625 (6²/8²) 8-inch equivalent wafer; one 12-inch wafer is converted into 2.25 (12²/8²) 8-inch equivalent wafers. Total capacity figures are expressed in 8-inch equivalent wafers.

CAPEX

CAPEX spending in 1Q21 was US$275 million. Full year 2021 CAPEX is budgeted at US$2.3 billion, which includes the company’s collaborative Fab 12A P6 expansion plan with its customers.

Second Quarter 2021 Outlook & Guidance

Quarter-over-Quarter Guidance:

• Wafer Shipments: To increase by approximately 2%
• ASP in USD: To increase by 3-4%
• Gross Profit Margin: To challenge 30%
• Capacity Utilization: 100%
• 2021 CAPEX: US$2.3 billion

Recent Developments / Announcements

Please visit UMC’s website for further details regarding the above announcements

Conference Call / Webcast Announcement

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Time: 5:00 PM (Taipei) / 5:00 AM (New York) / 10:00 AM (London)

A live webcast and replay of the 1Q21 results announcement will be available at

www.umc.com under the “Investors / Events” section.

About UMC

UMC (NYSE: UMC, TWSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry. The company provides high quality IC production with a focus on both logic and specialty technologies to serve every major sector of the electronics industry. UMC’s comprehensive technology and manufacturing solutions include logic/RF, embedded high voltage, embedded flash, RFSOI/BCD and IATF-16949 automotive manufacturing certification for all its manufacturing facilities. UMC operates 12 fabs that are strategically located throughout Asia with a maximum capacity of more than 750,000 8-inch equivalent wafers per month. The company employs approximately 19,500 people worldwide, with offices in Taiwan, China, United States, Europe, Japan, Korea and Singapore. For more information, please visit: http://www.umc.com.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated financial results for the first quarter of 2021; the expected wafer shipment and ASP; the anticipated annual budget; capex strategies; environmental protection goals and water management strategies; impact of foreign currency exchange rates; expected foundry capacities; the ability to obtain new business opportunities; and information under the heading “First Quarter of 2021 Outlook and Guidance.”

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of UMC to be materially different from what is stated or may be implied in such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that actual events and results could differ materially from those statements as a result of a number of factors including, but not limited to: (i) dependence upon the frequent introduction of new services and technologies based on the latest developments in the industry in which UMC operates; (ii) the intensely competitive semiconductor, communications, consumer electronics and computer industries and markets; (iii) the risks associated with international business activities; (iv) dependence upon key personnel; (v) general economic and political conditions; (vi) possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by natural and human-induced events and disasters, including natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict and highly contagious diseases; (vii) reduced end-user purchases relative to expectations and orders; and (viii) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Further information regarding these and other risk factors is included in UMC’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. All information provided in this release is as of the date of this release and are based on assumptions that UMC believes to be reasonable as of this date, and UMC does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

The financial statements included in this release are prepared and published in accordance with Taiwan International Financial Reporting Standards, or TIFRSs, recognized by the Financial Supervisory Commission in the ROC, which is different from International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRSs, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Investors are cautioned that there may be significant differences between TIFRSs and IFRSs. In addition, TIFRSs and IFRSs differ in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the ROC and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

- FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW -

¹Unless otherwise stated, all financial figures discussed in this announcement are prepared in accordance with TIFRSs recognized by Financial Supervisory Commission in the ROC, which is different from IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. They represent comparisons among the three-month period ending March 31, 2021, the three-month period ending December 31, 2020, and the equivalent three-month period that ended March 31, 2020. For all 1Q21 results, New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) amounts have been converted into U.S. Dollars at the March 31, 2021 exchange rate of NT$ 28.53 per U.S. Dollar.

² Revenue in this section represents wafer sales

³ Utilization Rate = Quarterly Wafer Out / Quarterly Capacity

⁴ Estimated capacity numbers are based on calculated maximum output rather than designed capacity. The actual capacity numbers may differ depending upon equipment delivery schedules, pace of migration to more advanced process technologies, and other factors affecting production ramp-up.

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