TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market opened higher Tuesday but closed with only a slight gain as foreign investors prepared for the Christmas holiday and electronics stocks declined.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (TAIEX) closed up 15.7 points at 23,120.24. Turnover totaled NT$338.276 billion (US$10.3 billion), per CNA.

The electronics sector index closed down 0.07%, while the financial sector rose 0.33%. Among traditional industries, shipping, plastics, and construction sectors closed higher, up 0.86%, 0.48%, and 0.32%, respectively.

TSMC rose to NT$1,095 (US$33.50) during trading, nearing its historical high of NT$1,100, before closing at NT$1,080. Foxconn and Largan Precision closed flat, at NT$185.5 and NT$2,550, respectively.

The US announcement Monday of a Section 301 investigation into Chinese-made mature-process semiconductors boosted Taiwan's silicon wafer and third-generation silicon carbide (SiC). Shares of Episil Technologies, Episil-Precision, and Wafer Works hit their daily limit during trading, closing at NT$50.4 (US$1.50), NT$49.5, and NT$29.15, respectively.

SiC is made up of tightly bonded silicon and carbon atoms, creating a stable material with low energy loss and high power handling capabilities. This makes SiC ideal for high-voltage and high-current applications, including electric vehicles, EV charging stations, and renewable energy generation systems, according to stockfeel.

AI server concept stocks opened higher but trended downward. Quanta Computer closed up 0.69% at NT$291, Wistron dipped 0.46% to NT$107.5, and Wiwynn dropped 4.34% to NT$2,535.

With foreign investors entering their holiday break, the market is unlikely to see much change in the remaining trading days of the year, Hua Nan Securities Investment Management Director Chu Hsiang-sheng (儲祥生) said.