Taiwan shares close lower as tech stocks fall on AI concerns - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan Shares Decline as Tech Stocks Tumble on AI Worries
The Taiwan Stock Exchange's benchmark index, the Taiex, closed lower on Tuesday, falling 351.03 points, or 0.77 percent, to 45,511.49. This decline followed a 0.70 percent drop on Monday, with the index moving between 45,491.97 and 46,009.85 during the day. The total turnover for the session was NT$603.45 billion, equivalent to US$18.99 billion.
Market Reaction to AI Concerns
The local market had already absorbed warnings from three AI executives on Monday, and selling pressure continued on Tuesday after AI‑related stocks in the United States plunged overnight. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index slid 5.86 percent, prompting investors to reassess exposure. Cathay Futures Consultant analyst Tsai Ming‑han said the sell‑off was not overwhelming because the fundamentals of AI investment remain unchanged.
Performance of Key Stocks
Despite the electronics index slipping 0.65 percent, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) rose 0.21 percent to end at NT$2,385.00. TSMC, which represents more than 40 percent of the market’s total value, helped keep the Taiex from falling further. Other semiconductor names, however, posted notable declines: ASE Technology Holding Co. dropped 3.27 percent to NT$592.00, MediaTek Inc. fell 2.85 percent to NT$4,430.00, and Nanya Technology Corp. slid 1.59 percent to NT$465.50.
Mixed Results in Other Sectors
Outside semiconductors, iPhone assembler and AI server maker Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. closed down 0.80 percent at NT$246.50, while fellow AI supplier Quanta Computer Inc. edged up 0.15 percent to NT$333.00. Yageo Corp., the world’s third‑largest multilayer ceramic capacitor supplier, fell 1.47 percent to NT$537.00, whereas power‑management specialist Delta Electronics Inc. rose 3.27 percent to NT$1,670.00.
Financial Sector Decline
The financial sector, which had posted a 1.94 percent gain on Monday, reversed course on Tuesday, slipping 1.10 percent and adding pressure to the broader index. Fubon Financial Holding Co. dropped 1.95 percent to NT$151.00, and Cathay Financial Holding Co. fell 2.22 percent to NT$110.00. In contrast, E. Sun Financial Holding Co. rose 2.35 percent to NT$69.70.
Outlook and Investor Sentiment
Tsai Ming‑han noted that the impact of AI concerns appears largely priced in and that market focus will now shift to the U.S. Federal Reserve. He added that, ahead of the Fed’s decision, the Taiex is likely to remain in a consolidation phase while investors await comments from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh. According to the Taiwan Stock Exchange, foreign institutional investors sold a net NT$62.70 billion of shares on the main board on Tuesday.
Source: focustaiwan.tw · 2026-09-15