Taipei, Feb 2, 2026, 10:11 GMT+8 — Regular session
- Global Unichip shares held steady at NT$2,620 during morning trading following a volatile opening
- Investors remain cautious about margin pressure linked to a higher proportion of turnkey shipments
- Upcoming dates: Investor briefing set for Feb. 3; January revenue report must be filed by Feb. 10
Shares of Global Unichip Corp held steady at NT$2,620 on Monday, after moving between NT$2,570 and NT$2,745 by 10:06 a.m. in Taipei. Taiwan chip designers fared better overall, with Alchip Technologies gaining 1.1% and Faraday Technology jumping 3.9%.
This is significant because Global Unichip operates within the custom-chip supply chain crucial to data-centre manufacturers, making its stock a barometer for demand from major US purchasers. Traders are scrambling to figure out if rising prices are driving demand or if higher volumes are squeezing margins.
Margins are under the spotlight again as the latest quarter heavily relied on turnkey work. Turnkey covers the full scope — from design to managing foundry, packaging, and testing — whereas NRE refers to the one-time design fee for a chip project.
The broader market kicked off weaker, with the benchmark Taiex slipping 55.29 points to 32,008.46, according to data from Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation.
On Jan. 29, the company announced from Hsinchu a record fourth-quarter net sales figure of NT$12.4 billion, alongside net income of NT$1.16 billion. Full-year net sales climbed 36% to NT$34.14 billion. Gross margin dipped to 19%, as turnkey revenue surged to NT$10.29 billion, making up 83% of total sales. Inventories rose sharply to NT$10.15 billion at the end of December, up from NT$2.79 billion a year prior. Sales from 3-nanometre processes and below accounted for 48% of the quarter’s total, with the U.S. market representing 72%, the company noted.
Turnkey growth often boosts revenue quickly and neatly. But it can squeeze margins, since the company shoulders more manufacturing costs and revenue timing depends on shipments.
Investors are tuning in for clues on the pace at which those projects will scale, and if the margin drop is just a blip or something deeper. Attention will also focus on whether the business shifts back to higher-margin design fees once new projects get underway.
That stock build works both ways. If customers delay deliveries or costs spike, margins and cash flow can tighten fast—even with record sales in hand.
Coming up on Feb. 3 is an investor briefing, per the local investor relations calendar. Another key date: January operating revenue reports, which listed companies are required to submit by the 10th of each month under exchange regulations.
Global Unichip shares often react to hints about big customer ramps. Traders are eyeing Tuesday’s briefing for fresh insights.
