TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s benchmark stock index lost the 45,000-point level after overnight losses in US technology shares, as investors assessed concerns that rising artificial intelligence-related component costs could begin to affect end-user demand.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, fell below its monthly moving average, ending down 1,683.5 points at 44,571.76. It recorded its third-largest point drop on record after briefly surpassing the 48,000-point level earlier this week, according to Taiwan Index Plus.
Turnover totaled NT$1.55 trillion (US$48.6 billion), the eighth-highest level on record. The total market capitalization of listed companies stood at NT$145.46 trillion, according to the Taiwan Stock Exchange. For the week, the TAIEX declined 1,893.44 points.
All major index-weighted stocks closed lower. TSMC fell 2.09% to NT$2,340, with its market capitalization decreasing to NT$60.68 trillion, according to CTEE.
MediaTek closed at NT$3,880. Delta Electronics declined 8.5% to NT$1,810, Foxconn fell 3.5% to NT$248.5, and ASE lost 1.4% to NT$632.
The number of stocks priced above NT$1,000 decreased to 49, compared to the previous session's record 56. Ap Memory Technology, Gallant Micro Machining, Voltronic Power Technology, Mega Union Technology, Unimicron Technology, Auras Technology and GlobalWafers moved below the threshold.
Chip designer Aspeed Technology, the highest-priced stock on the TAIEX, saw its ex-dividend trading fail to hold and closed limit-down at NT$15,615. Cloud infrastructure provider Wiwynn, the second-highest-priced stock, also closed limit-down at NT$8,190.
Micron Technology’s upbeat results and outlook failed to lift the memory sector. Leaders Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics both declined more than 5%.
Printed circuit board and advanced substrate stocks, which had risen in the previous session following Micron’s results, came under profit-taking pressure, with Nan Ya PCB as the only notable gainer at 7.66%. Kinsus Interconnect Technology briefly reached limit-up before reversing to close lower, while Unimicron Technology fell 4.41%.
The passive components segment was among the hardest-hit. Leader Yageo, Ta-I Technology, Walsin Technology, Viking Tech, Prosperity Dielectrics, and Taiwan Chinsan Electronic Industrial all closed limit-down, while Hua Jung Components was the only stock in the group to close limit-up.
Power semiconductor-related stocks, which had recently been among the strongest-performing sectors, also moved lower. Aside from Jentech Precision Industrial holding near flat, Sdi, Panjit International, Episil-Precision, Delos, Jieli, and Vanguard International Semiconductor declined more than 5%, while Taiwan Semiconductor and Upi Semiconductor both closed at limit-downs.
Market sentiment showed a clear increase in caution. While the long-term AI trend remains intact, concerns over demand following Apple's recent product price increases, continued foreign net selling, and crowded positioning in the futures market have contributed to short-term volatility.
Attention is now on whether the TAIEX can stabilize above the 45,000-point level and whether foreign institutional buying returns. Taishin 2000 High Technology Equity Fund manager Shen Chien-hung (沈建宏) said the index remains well above its annual moving average, while the impact of positive AI-related news on the broader market appears to be fading.
He also noted that more investors are buying stocks with borrowed money, which has led to less orderly positioning. He expects short-term volatility to persist.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
