TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market closed higher on Friday, recovering from early losses as gains in heavyweight technology stocks helped lift the broader index late in the session.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, rose 42.24 points to close at 22,045.74, with total turnover reaching NT$446 billion (US$15 billion). For the week, the index slipped 27.21 points, according to CNA and CTEE.
TSMC advanced 1.93% to NT$1,055. Trading activity increased notably late in the session, driven by post-market adjustments linked to the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index rebalancing.
Late session transaction totaled 38,600 lots, or 38.6 million shares. Additionally, a substantial after-hours block trade totaling 7,921 lots was also recorded.
Index rebalancing often increases market activity on the final trading day, as passive funds adjust their holdings to match new index components and weightings, leading to higher trading volumes and capital flows.
Other major tech stocks showed mixed results. Foxconn rose 0.97% to NT$155.5, while MediaTek declined 1.19% to NT$1,250.
Shin Kong Financial Holding attracted attention after a large negotiated block trade was recorded post-market. Negotiated block trades are a specific form of large-scale transaction in which the buyer and seller agree in advance on the price and quantity, so pricing is not constrained by intraday fluctuations.
A total of 52,569 lots changed hands at NT$13 per share, 12.07% above the stock’s closing price. The transaction was valued at NT$684 million.
Market speculation centers on whether the sellers were company founder Eugene Wu (吳東進) and his daughter Cynthia Wu (吳欣儒), following their recent sale of over 40,000 shares. Analysts believe the trade may reflect the family's continued divestment.
In addition, negotiated trades for companies such as Foxconn, MSI, Wistron, and MediaTek exceeded NT$10 billion in total value on Friday. It was an uncommon occurrence for the single-day block trade total to surpass the NT$10 billion mark.
In the industrial sector, cleanroom contractor United Integrated Services rose 3.21% to NT$611, while L&K Engineering, a provider of industrial electromechanical engineering services, reached the daily price limit to close at NT$294. Both companies reported strong order backlogs — exceeding NT$100 billion and NT$200 billion, respectively.
Mega International Vice President Huang Kuo-wei (黃國偉) noted that developments involving Israel and Iran, along with any potential US response, remain important factors for investors to watch. Huang said these geopolitical tensions could affect both international and local markets and recommended closely monitoring further developments.
Capital investment consulting added that while the TAIEX ended higher after a day of fluctuating trade, the index has yet to demonstrate sustained upward momentum. With the market remaining in a consolidation phase, the firm recommended a cautious approach, advising investors to adjust portfolios based on short-term market trends.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
