Taiwan's major chipmaker United Microelectronics and U.S.-based GlobalFoundries are exploring the possibility of a merger, the Nikkei reported on Monday, citing an assessment plan seen by the newspaper.

Shares in semiconductor foundry GlobalFoundries (GFS) fell today even though it was linked with a potential merger with Taiwan’s major

GlobalFoundries Inc. may merge with United Microelectronics Corp., creating a viable alternative to Taiwan Semiconductor; deal faces Chinese regulatory hurdles.