TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s listed companies reported combined profits before tax of NT$5.43 trillion (US$169.8 billion) last year, up 10.96% from 2024, the Taiwan Stock Exchange said Wednesday.

The figures cover 1,069 companies. Among them, 835 reported profits, accounting for about 78% of the total, according to CNA.

Meanwhile, 454 companies, or roughly 42%, saw higher profits compared with the previous year. Semiconductor firms led the gains, as leading technologies and diversified supply chains helped the sector capture opportunities from the expanding AI market.

The growth now benefits the broader semiconductor ecosystem. A recent report by Counterpoint Research showed that the global Foundry 2.0 market, which includes wafer fabrication as well as related processes such as packaging, testing, and photomask production, generated NT$10.26 trillion (US$320 billion) in revenue last year, up 16% from the previous year, according to CTEE.

Computer and peripheral equipment makers, along with other electronics companies, also reported higher profits. Group Up Industrial Co. Chair Chen An-shun (陳安順) said the market is facing shortages in both materials and equipment as AI grows, according to CTEE.

He added that AI-driven demand has created a “rush for equipment.” Customers at international trade shows are skipping price negotiations and asking directly about delivery schedules, Chen noted.

Industries that saw declining profits included shipping, cement, and electrical machinery. Shipping companies faced pressure from US tariff policies and geopolitical risks, as well as a higher comparison base from the previous year.

The cement sector was affected as some firms recognized disaster-related losses. Certain electrical machinery companies saw profit declines from litigation costs.