TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market pulled back Thursday, following overnight losses on Wall Street amid renewed concerns over US-China trade relations.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, lost 116.65 points to close at 27,532.26. Turnover totaled NT$421 billion (US$13.6 billion), according to CNA and CTEE.
Despite recent declines, the TAIEX recorded a weekly gain of 229.89 points, marking its ninth consecutive weekly advance. Total market capitalization of all listed companies reached NT$88.9 trillion, up NT$753 billion from the previous week, according to CNA.
Friday marks the start of Taiwan’s Retrocession Day holiday, so Thursday was the final trading session of the week.
TSMC eased 0.68% to NT$1,450. In after-hours trading, 10 lots, or 10,000 shares, changed hands at NT$1,600, slightly below the daily limit of NT$1,605, a level closely watched by investors for indications of next week’s trading momentum, according to CTEE.
Foxconn fell 1.44% to NT$239. Delta Electronics decreased 0.98% to NT$1,010, and MediaTek declined 2.63% to NT$1,295.
Market activity was also influenced by developments in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park. Shin Kong Life Insurance agreed to terminate contracts with Taipei City Government for T17 and T18 plots, potentially clearing the way for Nvidia’s planned Taiwan headquarters.
Shares linked to the area and property developers, including Shihlin Paper, Shinkong Textile, Shihlin Development, and Tidehold Development, reached daily trading limits.
Passive component makers extended recent gains, with Yageo rising 8.65% to NT$226 and Walsin Technology increasing 6.96% to NT$123. Other suppliers, including Lelon Electronics, Hua Jung Components, Nichidenbo, Holy Stone, and Prosperity Dielectrics, also advanced.
Energy-related stocks gained following US sanctions on Russian oil companies, which supported global crude prices. Formosa Plastics, Formosa Chemicals and Fiber, Formosa Petrochemical, and Nan Ya Plastics all registered increases.
Mercuries Life Insurance rose 5.49% to NT$6.72 on speculation of a potential buyer. Trading volume more than doubled from the previous session.
First Securities Investment Trust High-Tech Fund Manager Chang Cheng-chung (張正中) noted that Taiwan’s stock market continues to benefit from strong artificial intelligence momentum and robust export growth, factors that support share performance. He highlighted that over the past 15 years, the TAIEX has risen in the fourth quarter 87% of the time, typically driven by year-end optimism and positive expectations for the following year.
Chang observed a divergence between AI-related and non-AI sectors in both fundamentals and stock performance. Electronics remain the core of Taiwan’s equity market, and he favors growth-oriented sectors, including AI supply chains and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Looking ahead, Chang highlighted several key developments for investors. These include upcoming earnings reports from major US technology companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, and Apple, as well as quarterly results from leading Taiwanese firms.
He also pointed to the potential impact of a US-China leaders’ meeting in South Korea on trade tensions, possible economic policies from China’s fourth plenary session, and the next rate adjustment by the US Federal Reserve, all of which could influence market momentum.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
