TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan stock market opened lower on Thursday and fluctuated throughout the session, weighed down by negative sentiment from US markets.
The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, fell 129.27 points to close at 19,338.73. Turnover totaled NT$251 billion (US$7.7 billion), per CNA and CTEE.
Investors remained cautious ahead of TSMC’s earnings call later in the day, which led to a decline in TSMC shares by 0.94%, closing at NT$847 (US$26). Foxconn also dropped by 1.1% to finish at NT$134.5, while MediaTek lost 1.83%, ending at NT$1,340.
Information service stocks, which had rallied strongly the previous day following President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) remarks at the Taiwan Cybersecurity Conference, saw mixed results. Apex International Financial Engineering and Dimension Computer Technology continued their upward momentum, hitting the daily limit-up, while other stocks in the sector pulled back.
Defense-related stocks, which had also defied the broader market trend on Wednesday, were unable to sustain their momentum. The stocks saw declines ranging between 3% and 7%.
As the July 2025 Bio Asia–Taiwan conference approaches, biotech stocks showed resilience. Bionime, Polaris Pharmaceuticals-KY, and Rossmax International reached the daily limit, while several other biotech stocks closed higher.
Gold-related stocks followed the upward trend of gold prices, which recently surged past a record US$3,300 per ounce (28 g). Super Dragon Technology reached the daily limit-up, while Jiin Yeeh Ding gained nearly 4%.
The Financial Supervisory Commission has stated that it will continue to monitor both domestic and international economic conditions, as well as fluctuations in the securities market. The FSC will adjust stock market stabilization measures as necessary to address these conditions, per CNA.
Taishin 2000 High Technology Equity Fund Manager Shen Chien-hung (沈建宏) highlighted key variables currently influencing the market. These include US tariffs, corporate earnings reports, and upcoming conferences, particularly those for US companies in mid-April, per CTEE.
Shen also noted the importance of the US Federal Reserve's stance on potential interest rate cuts. A rate cut, which lowers borrowing costs for banks, generally has a positive impact on the stock market, as lower borrowing costs encourage businesses to invest more, boosting profitability and pushing stock prices higher.
Amid these challenges, high dividend yield stocks are attracting increasing attention, Shen said. Despite the market downturn, Taiwan’s economic growth and corporate profit growth for 2025 are still projected to rise, suggesting that pullbacks present opportunities for selective investment.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
