United Microelectronics Corporation saw its U.S.-listed shares close at $10.06 on Friday, marking a 0.9% increase. The move came amid a broad rally in semiconductor stocks, fueled by major technology firms signaling significant expansions in artificial intelligence infrastructure investments.
AI Spending Drives Sector Rebound
Amazon's projection of a more than 50% rise in capital expenditures this year, following a similar commitment from Alphabet earlier in the week, provided a catalyst for the sector. This news helped reverse a three-day decline, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumping 5.7% and Nvidia advancing 7.8%. Analysts pointed to "real demand for AI products" as a key driver behind the recovery.
Other foundry operators posted even stronger gains. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's U.S. shares rose approximately 5.5%, while GlobalFoundries climbed nearly 4.7%. The Semiconductor Industry Association added to the positive sentiment, forecasting global chip sales to reach $1 trillion this year, a 25.6% increase from 2025's $791.7 billion.
Market Focus Shifts to Economic Data
Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming U.S. economic indicators. The Employment Situation report and January Consumer Price Index data, both scheduled for release on February 13, could influence bond yields and technology valuations. Additionally, earnings from chip equipment makers, including Applied Materials' report on February 12, will be closely watched for further industry insights.
UMC, which provides contract wafer fabrication services, is viewed by some investors as a barometer for broader electronics demand cycles. The company's Taipei-listed shares ended Friday at NT$61.90, up 0.65%. UMC is scheduled to report its February monthly sales figures on March 5.
While the recent uptick reflects renewed optimism about AI-driven capital expenditure, analysts caution that the sustainability of the rally depends on continued robust cloud spending and a recovery in non-AI semiconductor demand. Smaller foundries could face pricing pressure if these conditions weaken.
