Astera Labs (ALAB) vs United Microelectronics (NEW) (UMC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
United Microelectronics (NEW) (UMC) has outperformed Astera Labs (ALAB) over the past year, gaining 219.8% versus a gain of 80.2%. Astera Labs is the larger company by market cap ($61.73 billion vs $56.72 billion), about 1.1 times the size. On valuation, United Microelectronics (NEW) trades at a lower forward P/E (25.8x vs 55.7x for Astera Labs).
United Microelectronics (NEW) pays a dividend yielding 11.50%, while Astera Labs does not currently pay one. Astera Labs converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.7% versus 21.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ALAB | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $355.85 | $22.62 |
| Market cap | $61.73B | $56.72B |
| 1-day change | -6.90% | -2.98% |
| YTD return | +129.77% | +196.56% |
| 1-year return | +80.22% | +219.75% |
| 5-year return | — | +124.35% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 175.30 | 21.33 |
| Forward P/E | 55.66 | 25.75 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.03 | $1.06 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 11.50% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $852.52M | $7.08B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +115.13% | -2.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $219.13M | $1.49B |
| Gross margin | 75.69% | 32.57% |
| Operating margin | 20.34% | 22.22% |
| Net margin | 25.70% | 21.00% |
| 52-week high | $499.48 | $28.96 |
| 52-week low | $97.89 | $6.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -28.76% | -21.91% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | underperform |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.58% | -40.75% |
| Average volume | 4.17M | 13.03M |
| Shares outstanding | 173.49M | 2.51B |
| Employees | 756 | 20,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- UMC has outperformed ALAB by 139.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Astera Labs trades at a higher earnings multiple (175.3x vs 21.3x trailing P/E).
- United Microelectronics (NEW) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (11.50% vs 0.00%).
- Astera Labs grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+115.13% vs -2.52%).
About Astera Labs
ALAB stock →Astera Labs, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductor-based connectivity solutions for cloud and AI infrastructure in Taiwan and the United States.
Technology · Semiconductors · 756 employees
About United Microelectronics (NEW)
UMC stock →United Microelectronics Corporation operates as a semiconductor wafer foundry in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the United States, Europe, and internationally. It manufactures and sells integrated circuits.
Technology · Semiconductors · 20,000 employees
ALAB vs UMC FAQ
Which is bigger, Astera Labs or United Microelectronics (NEW)?
Astera Labs (ALAB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $61.73B compared with $56.72B for United Microelectronics (NEW) (UMC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALAB or UMC?
UMC returned +219.75% over the past 12 months, compared with +80.22% for ALAB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALAB or UMC?
UMC has the lower trailing P/E at 21.3, versus 175.3 for ALAB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Astera Labs or United Microelectronics (NEW)?
United Microelectronics (NEW) pays a dividend yielding 11.50%, while Astera Labs does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Astera Labs and United Microelectronics (NEW) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.