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Well, I still think the fail merger is still a good news to UMS holders, because I believe some of us viewed the sell-down of UMS shares by AMAT was signalling an intention to drop UMS after the merger. Now that the merger has failed, the likelihood of AMAT continuing their contract with UMS has raised. Though I still hope UMS can broaden their customer base further to reduce the risk of AMAT not renewing their contract.

Think if they were to announce a renewal of contract with UMS, it would be a major catalyst on the stock price.


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(28-04-2015, 08:18 PM)Xiaosaint Wrote: [ -> ]Well, I still think the fail merger is still a good news to UMS holders, because I believe some of us viewed the sell-down of UMS shares by AMAT was signalling an intention to drop UMS after the merger. Now that the merger has failed, the likelihood of AMAT continuing their contract with UMS has raised. Though I still hope UMS can broaden their customer base further to reduce the risk of AMAT not renewing their contract.

Think if they were to announce a renewal of contract with UMS, it would be a major catalyst on the stock price.


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The renewal notice may come much later, since existing contract expire in 2017, IIRC.

First Quarter Semiconductor Sales Up 6 Percent Compared to Last Year

Global industry posts 23rd consecutive month of year-to-year sales increases;

March sales in Americas increase 14.2 percent year-to-year to lead all regions

Published Monday, May 4, 2015 8:00 am
by Dan Rosso

WASHINGTON—May 4, 2015—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $83.1 billion during the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 6.0 percent compared to the first quarter of 2014. Global sales for the month of March 2015 were $27.7 billion, 6.0 percent higher than the March 2014 total of $26.1 billion and 0.1 percent lower than last month’s total. All monthly sales numbers are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average.

“Despite macroeconomic challenges, first quarter global semiconductor sales are higher than they were last year, which was a record year for semiconductor revenue,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association. “The Americas region posted its sixth straight month of double-digit, year-to-year growth to lead all regional markets, and DRAM and analog products continue to be key drivers of global sales growth.”

Regionally, sales were up compared to last month in Asia Pacific/All Other (3.1 percent), Europe (2.7 percent), and China (1.0 percent), which is broken out as a separate country in the sales data for the first time. Japan (-0.4 percent) and the Americas (-6.9 percent) both saw sales decrease compared to last month. Compared to March 2014, sales increased in the Americas (14.2 percent), China (13.3 percent), and Asia Pacific/All Other (3.8 percent), but decreased in Europe (-4.0 percent) and Japan (-9.6 percent).

“Congress is considering a legislative initiative called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that would help promote continued growth in the semiconductor sector and throughout the U.S. economy,” Neuffer continued. “Free trade is vital to the U.S. semiconductor industry. In 2014, U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $173 billion, representing over half the global market, and 82 percent of those sales were to customers outside the United States. TPA paves the way for free trade, and Congress should swiftly enact it.”

To find out how to purchase the WSTS Subscription Package, which includes................................

http://www.semiconductors.org/news/2015/...last_year/

(vested)

1Q2015 Results:

Revenue (SGD million）:
1Q2014 = 34.309
2Q2014 = 28.689
3Q2014 = 24.771
4Q2014 = 22.050
1Q2015 = 27.467

NPAT (SGD million):
1Q2014 = 8.558
2Q2014 = 7.229
3Q2014 = 6,465
4Q2014 = 3.677
1Q2015 = 7.541

Gross Profit Margin :
1Q2014 = 53%
2Q2014 = 57%
3Q2014 = 54%
4Q2014 = 54%
1Q2015 = 57% (due mainly to strong USD)

Net Profit Margin :
1Q2014 = 24.9%
2Q2014 = 25.2%
3Q2014 = 22.1%
4Q2014 = 16.7%
1Q2015 = 27.5% (FX gain)

FCF Generated (SGD million):
1Q2014 = 10.3
2Q2014 = 3.9
3Q2014 = 5.7
4Q2014 = 9.0
1Q2015 = 6.4

Cash & Cash Equivalent (SGD million)
1Q2014 = 39.511
2Q2014 = 36.113 (debt = 5.000) ; Net Cash = 31.113
3Q2014 = 32.947
4Q2014 = 33.792
1Q2015 = 40.801

Comments:
1) 1Q2015 result was not as good if compared to 1Q2014 but it was better than the previous two quarters (3Q and 4Q2014).
2) Ability to generate FCF is intact – FCF of about SGD 1.5 cents was generated in 1Q2015
3) Management remains confident of the business outlook for the rest of the year, especially in the second half.

(vested)

Dividend $0.01 declared.

EX Date: 7 July 2015
Pay Date: 28 July 2015

Results looks decent with potential upside in 2H 2015. The 6 cents dividend could be repeated giving rise to a yield exceeding 11%. Currently backed by $40 million cash with no debt albeit 3 cents dividend has yet to be paid out.

(Not Vested)

Good counter for exposure to semicon sector which is just ramping up and likely to get more exciting. Was looking at fanuc but it has run up a lot so got some ums few months back.

Other than trading slightly above asset values, other fundamentals at this price are still quite good.

Looks like all most of the coverage and excitement from last year has died down as well.

-v-

sent from my Galaxy Tab S

(10-05-2015, 03:53 PM)BlueKelah Wrote: [ -> ]Good counter for exposure to semicon sector which is just ramping up and likely to get more exciting. Was looking at fanuc but it has run up a lot so got some ums few months back.

Other than trading slightly above asset values, other fundamentals at this price are still quite good.

Looks like all most of the coverage and excitement from last year has died down as well.

-v-

sent from my Galaxy Tab S

Excitement from last year has died down, what excitement? Anxiety it was.

And it is likely to get more exciting again this year? what excitement?

was referring to the earlier part of 2014 up till May where the share price shot up and they were handing out dividends and shares, before all the insider selling happened.

But of course have to be aware, in event of a crash, the bottom is pretty far down, can become 10-20cent share easily. though it is a rough guide, during GFC times UMS did fall below 10cents when it reported losses for the 1H 2009, despite back then NAV was above 50cents.

for now the semicon sector still seems too be doing well, especially when you see companies like HDD manufacturing cheong woh business also picking up and with people still going crazy over all the new iphones/watches/tablets/etc...

(11-05-2015, 09:27 PM)BlueKelah Wrote: [ -> ]was referring to the earlier part of 2014 up till May where the share price shot up and they were handing out dividends and shares, before all the insider selling happened.

But of course have to be aware, in event of a crash, the bottom is pretty far down, can become 10-20cent share easily. though it is a rough guide, during GFC times UMS did fall below 10cents when it reported losses for the 1H 2009, despite back then NAV was above 50cents.

for now the semicon sector still seems too be doing well, especially when you see companies like HDD manufacturing cheong woh business also picking up and with people still going crazy over all the new iphones/watches/tablets/etc...

Me in semicon industry and I can tell you now is not rosy horr..
My company just announced worldwide headcount reduction of 10% 3 weeks back despite making profits horrr...

This is coming from 4th Biggest Equipment Company...