United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) provides circuit design, mask tooling, wafer fabrication, and assembly and testing services. The Hsinchu, Taiwan-based company operates through its Wafer Fabrication and the New Business segments. It serves fabless design companies and integrated device manufacturers. In comparison, Himax Technologies, Inc. (HIMX) in Tainan, Taiwan, is a fabless semiconductor company that provides display imaging processing technologies in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Europe, and the United States. The company operates through two segments–Driver IC and Non-Driver Products.
The global semiconductor shortage has impacted several industries worldwide. In addition, rising COVID-19 cases in China and the Russia-Ukraine war could further strain the supply chain. However, robust demand has allowed companies to raise prices for their chips and generate substantial profits. Also, rising investments worldwide to ramp up semiconductor production should help the industry witness significant growth in the coming months. Moreover, the passage of the $52 billion CHIPS Act is also expected to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research.
