TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market slipped slightly on Thursday, as early gains from optimism over Nvidia’s GPU Technology Conference and anticipation of the Xi–Trump meeting faded by the afternoon.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (TAIEX) fell 7.21 points to close at 28,287.53. Turnover reached NT$615 billion (US$20 billion), according to CNA and CTEE.
TSMC reached an intraday record high of NT$1,520 before closing flat at NT$1,505. Delta Electronics declined 4.72% to NT$1,010, while MediaTek and Foxconn each added 0.77%, ending at NT$1,310 and NT$262, respectively.
Investor sentiment toward memory chipmakers strengthened after strong third-quarter results from Samsung and SK Hynix. Elite Semiconductor Microelectronics Technology hit the daily limit at NT$96.3.
Phison Electronics advanced 6.22% to NT$1,110. Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics both rose more than 1%.
In contrast, Macronix International fell to the limit-down price of NT$34.65 after reporting its ninth consecutive quarterly loss. The company recorded heavy trading volume of more than 238,000 lots, or 238 million shares, the second-highest on the market, with over 470,000 sell orders pending at the close.
Power-supply maker Lite-On Technology dropped 7.18% to NT$181, snapping a six-day winning streak. Investors interpreted the company’s outlook at its earnings call as suggesting limited short-term growth potential.
Shipping stocks rebounded on speculation that the US may lower tariffs on Chinese goods. Evergreen Marine gained 3.16% to NT$196, Yang Ming Marine Transport rose 6.19% to NT$60 with turnover exceeding 110,000 lots, and Wan Hai Lines hit the daily limit at NT$87.4, with over 16,000 buy orders queued at the close.
After the market closed, US President Donald Trump said tariffs on certain Chinese imports would be reduced and that China had agreed to delay restrictions on rare earth exports while purchasing more American soybeans, according to BBC. Although Trump said the two sides had reached several agreements, the meeting lasted less than two hours and concluded without a joint statement, leading to a subdued market response.
Networking equipment stocks also performed strongly. CyberTan Technology and Hwacom Systems both hit the daily limit at NT$29.4 and NT$25.2, respectively, while Comtrend briefly touched the daily limit before closing at NT$37.3, up 8.75%.
Accton Technology returned to the NT$1,000 range, closing at NT$1,020, as investors anticipated growing global demand for 800G and 1.6T network switches driven by artificial intelligence and accelerated data center upgrades. The company is also seen as benefiting from long-term demand for high-speed networking equipment.
Chifar Investment Consulting Vice President Lee Yung-nien (李永年) said that Taiwan stocks weakened in late trading after US futures reversed course following the Xi-Trump meeting. He cautioned that Trump’s remarks about the resumption of nuclear testing on par with Russia and China could increase geopolitical uncertainty, urging investors to remain cautious despite a generally positive market outlook.
Analyst Jung I-shen (容逸燊) noted that while the meeting between Xi and Trump sent positive signals, much of the optimism had already been factored in. With US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell maintaining a cautious stance on potential rate cuts in December and year-end portfolio adjustments underway, he expects the market to remain volatile at elevated levels in the near term.
Institutional investors said the TAIEX still has room to challenge new highs before the end of the year. They recommended focusing on large-cap stocks with strong fundamentals and smaller companies showing solid earnings momentum.
Promising sectors include AI-related industries, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, materials innovation, price-hike beneficiaries, Apple’s supply chain, and biotechnology.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
