TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's stock market closed slightly higher Friday as investors adopted a cautious stance due to uncertainty surrounding US tariff negotiations with Taiwan.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, closed up 57.78 points at 22,751.03. Turnover totaled NT$327 billion (US$11.2 billion), according to CNA and CTEE.
Market sentiment was supported by continued interest in AI-related semiconductor stocks, particularly those tied to Nvidia, which briefly touched a market value of US$4 trillion. Semiconductor equipment makers such as Integrated Service Technology and Marketech International recorded notable gains, while Largan Precision rose 4.33% to NT$2,285.
TSMC closed flat at NT$1,100, while Foxconn also ended unchanged at NT$161.5. MediaTek rose 1.42% to close at NT$1,420, driven by positive industry outlooks.
One of the day's key developments was the final trading session for Shin Kong Financial Holding ahead of its merger with Taishin Financial Holding. Shin Kong Financial posted heavy trading volume, with 1.11 million lots, or 1.11 billion shares, changing hands, closing up 3.96% at NT$11.8.
Taishin Financial also saw strong turnover, with 631,000 lots traded and a gain of 8.28% to close at NT$18.3. The two stocks were the most actively traded of the day.
Although TSMC remained unchanged, institutional investors continued to express confidence in the company's position in AI-related applications, buoyed by Nvidia’s growth.
Suppliers to TSMC also saw gains, with Usun Technology, Marketech International, and Trusval Technology hitting their daily upper price limits. United Integrated Services and Acter reached intraday record highs.
Positive revenue results from transportation firms added to overall market optimism.
China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux Airlines rose as much as 3% during the session. Bulk shipping companies, including Wisdom Marine Lines, U-Ming Marine Transport, and Shih Wei Navigation, also recorded gains across the board.
Largan Precision had initially dropped NT$50 at the open due to reported foreign exchange losses in its latest earnings report. However, the stock rebounded later in the session, likely on bargain-hunting and expectations of a short-term bottom.
Electronic scales supplier Top Bright Holding went ex-dividend, distributing a cash dividend of NT$8.062 per share. When a company pays dividends, it distributes part of its profits to shareholders, typically resulting in a corresponding drop in the stock price on the ex-dividend date.
However, Top Bright fully recovered the dividend loss, rising to the daily limit. It closed at a record high of NT$240.5.
Taishin Securities Investment Advisory Vice President Huang Wen-ching (黃文清) said the US has already set a 25% tariff rate for Japanese and South Korean imports. As long as Taiwan’s rate remains at or below that level, it would be seen as a positive outcome.
Still, as negotiations remain ongoing, Huang said the market is likely to stay in a wait-and-see pattern. In the near term, sector rotation is expected to continue, with lagging stocks potentially catching up.
This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.
