Unimicron's Zhongli plant searched over suspected Chinese-made substrate relabeling and insider trading
Taiwanese prosecutors raided IC substrate leader Unimicron, a bad turn for a stock that hit a record high the very same morning.
- Investigators searched the company's Hejiang plant in Zhongli and took away two vice presidents, an accountant, and more than ten staff for questioning, along with four laptops and a pile of documents.
- The suspicion is that Chinese-made substrates were shipped through Taiwan and stamped "Made in Taiwan" to dodge high US tariffs.
- Prosecutors are also looking at cooked books used to dress up results, plus insider trading on that non-public information.
- The tip reportedly came from someone inside the company who had been quietly gathering evidence for a long time.
- Unimicron shares touched an all-time high early in the day, then closed lower before news of the raid broke.
Outlook: Prosecutors say they will explain only once the case is clearer, and the stock is likely in for a rough stretch while that hangs over it.