TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s stock market slipped on Monday as sentiment remains cautious amid uncertainty surrounding ongoing US-Taiwan tariff negotiations.
The Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index, or TAIEX, closed down 42.57 points at 23,340.56. Turnover totaled NT$304 billion (US$10.4 billion), according to CNA and CTEE.
TSMC fell 0.43% to NT$1,150. Foxconn edged down 0.3% to NT$165, while MediaTek gained 1.06% to close at NT$1,425.
Robot-related stocks drew strong interest ahead of the launch of Taiwan’s artificial intelligence robotics alliance on Tuesday. Kye Systems, Canon, and Aurotek each surged more than 5% in anticipation of the inaugural event.
The alliance brings together companies from across Taiwan’s robotics supply chain, including chipmakers, component suppliers, robotic arm manufacturers, machine vision developers, and system integrators. The alliance, backed by six major trade groups, unites chipmakers, component suppliers, and robotic system developers to foster AI robotics innovation and boost exports.
Optical communication stocks also outperformed, with Ezconn hitting the daily limit at NT$541. AI server and component suppliers rallied as well, with Mitac climbing over 5% by market close.
Meanwhile, printed circuit board makers had a strong showing. Tripod Technology and Co‑Tech Development hit their daily limit-ups.
C Sun advanced more than 5%. PCBs are critical to electronic devices, providing copper pathways that connect components and form circuit foundations.
Meanwhile, biotech shares were buoyed by optimism ahead of the Bio Asia Taiwan Exhibition, which opens Thursday.
Caliway Biopharmaceuticals, a former biotech sector leader, hit the daily limit on its market debut after a corporate spin-off. A spinoff refers to the creation of an independent company by separating a segment of an existing business.
Great Tree Pharmacy also hit the daily limit, leading a rally across the biotech sector. Other notable gainers included SciVision Biotech, Easywell Biomedicals, Synmosa Biopharma, Orient EuroPharma, and Sunmax Biotechnology, all boosted by renewed investor enthusiasm.
Analysts said uncertainty over US-Taiwan tariff talks is keeping investors on edge. Although the TAIEX has rebounded sharply from its April 9 low of 17,306 and is now trading above all major moving averages — a sign of market strength — investors remain cautious.
The index is approaching price levels where many had previously bought in and suffered losses, approaching a potential resistance zone. If the market stalls near this level, it could prompt a wave of selling from both profit-takers and investors hoping to break even, leading to short-term volatility.
