iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF vs United Microelectronics Corp — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF trades at $113.84 (market cap $12.74B), while United Microelectronics Corp trades at $22.92 (market cap $58.02B). The key difference: United Microelectronics Corp is far larger — about 4.6× iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF's market cap, and United Microelectronics Corp pays a 1.76% dividend while iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF for 52 Days and United Microelectronics Corp for 42 Days on average.
| EWT | UMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.74B | $58.02B |
Volume | 8,470,920 | 11,897,809 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Technology |
52-Week High | $118.00 | $28.02 |
52-Week Low | $60.03 | $7.02 |
Typical Hold Time | 52 Days | 42 Days |
Enterprise Value | — | $55.10B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.76% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWT, the iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF, trades at $116.24, down 1.16% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The ETF is heavily concentrated in Taiwan's semiconductor sector, particularly TSMC, benefiting from AI-driven demand. Recent news highlights strong institutional interest and substantial Taiwanese corporate investments in U.S. AI infrastructure, though geopolitical tensions with China present ongoing risks.
The outlook for EWT is positive due to Taiwan's pivotal role in AI and semiconductor supply chains, supported by robust capital expenditure plans from key holdings. However, elevated geopolitical risks and sector concentration require careful monitoring. Upside potential hinges on sustained AI demand, while downside risks include cross-strait tensions and global tech volatility.
UMC trades at $23.31, up 0.52% with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. The company shows strong profitability with 32.75% net margin and 21.03% ROE, though revenue growth has moderated from 2022 peaks. Recent earnings beats and a Zacks Strong Buy upgrade (September 17, 2026) highlight positive momentum, while cash flow turned positive in 2025 after two years of outflows.
The stock presents growth potential with expanding AI opportunities and strong 22/28nm demand, but faces risks from semiconductor cycle volatility and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is mixed with 27% buy ratings versus 20% sell, suggesting cautious optimism amid elevated valuation multiples.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
EWT tracks the MSCI Taiwan 25/50 Index, providing targeted exposure to large and mid-cap companies in Taiwan. It is heavily concentrated in the information technology sector, serving as a liquid instrument for investors seeking a single-country view of Taiwan's export-oriented and tech-driven economy.
Read more on EWT →Founded in 1980, United Microelectronics is the world's third-largest dedicated chip foundry, with 7% market share in 2021, according to Gartner, after TSMC and GlobalFoundries. UMC's headquarters are in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and it operates 12 fabs in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan and Singapore, with additional sales offices in Europe, the U.S. and South Korea. UMC features a diverse customer base including Texas Instruments, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Xilinx and Realtek, supplying a wide range of products applied in communications, display, memory, automotive and more. UMC employs about 20,000 people.
Read more on UMC →