Broadcom Inc. vs United Microelectronics Corporation, two Semiconductors stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Broadcom's balance sheet carries 0.77 of debt to equity and wears it easily on a 48.6% operating margin; UMC carries none and still looks fragile, because a trailing-edge foundry earning a 22% operating margin in a commodity pricing trough has no cushion to gear against. The capital structures explain the strategies: Broadcom borrows to buy franchises, UMC saves to survive winters. The multiples are 60.8 times real earnings and 213.2 times depressed ones, with free-cash yields of 1.8% and 0.05%. Return on equity runs 32.5% against 13.3%. This pair shares an industry classification and almost no investable characteristics.
Comparison updated 2026-07-10.
| Metric | AVGO | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $365.26 | $25.58 |
| Market cap | $1.78T | $311.4B |
| Sector | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Stage | Mature | Growth |
| P/E | 60.8 | 213.2 |
| P/B | 20.31 | 27.92 |
| P/S | 23.60 | 43.56 |
| EV/EBITDA | 55.6 | 195.8 |
| Revenue growth | +31.9% | +8.9% |
| Gross margin | 69.5% | 32.3% |
| Operating margin | 48.6% | 22.0% |
| Net margin | 37.8% | 20.8% |
| Return on equity | 32.5% | 13.3% |
| Return on assets | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Return on invested capital | 19.4% | 12.0% |
| FCF yield | 1.8% | 0.1% |
| Dividend yield | 0.7% | — |
| Debt / equity | 0.77 | 0.00 |
| Current ratio | 2.24 | 2.45 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 6.87 | 6.96 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 7 / 9 | 6 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.