TAIEX moves higher as major tech shares advance

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s benchmark stock index moved higher Wednesday as major technology shares gained.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Index, or TAIEX, closed up 663.16 points, or 1.47%, at 45,832.62. Turnover totaled NT$804.3 billion (US$26.9 billion), according to Taiwan Index Plus and CTEE.

All of the market’s most heavily weighted stocks ended higher. TSMC gained 0.63% to close at NT$2,415.

MediaTek rose 5.62% to NT$3,945. Foxconn increased 1.44% to NT$246.5, Delta Electronics rose 2.34% to NT$1,750, and ASE Technology edged up 0.17% to NT$592, according to Anue.

Largan Precision hit its daily limit-up to close at a record NT$6,290 after announcing its fourth property purchase this year. Analysts said the purchase could be linked to its expansion into optical communications, a light-based method of transmitting information instead of electricity, according to ScienceDirect.

Largan’s strong performance, together with Nvidia’s Spectrum-X Ethernet Photonics platform entering full mass production earlier this month, boosted stocks related to co-packaged optics (CPO). Pcl Technologies, LandMark Optoelectronics, Para Light Electronics, Chipbond Technology, and Tyntek all hit daily limits.

Elite Advanced Laser, Fiber Optic Communications, Win Semiconductors, Browave, and Ezconn also moved higher. CPO integrates light-based components with computing chips in the same package, reducing power use and transmission delays.

Grand Pacific Petrochemical hit its daily limit at NT$13 after announcing its expansion into specialty gases. Specialty gases play a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing, where trace impurities can affect production processes and chip quality, according to CMoney.

Investors also turned to biotech stocks on several positive developments. New drug clinical trials, international licensing deals, vaccine partnerships, and medical device commercialization supported gains across the sector.

PharmaEssentia reached a record NT$1,600 during the session before closing 6.38% higher at NT$1,585. Pell Bio-Med Technology hit its daily limit at NT$1,490, also setting a new high. Brim Biotechnology, Gongwin Biopharm Holdings, Medigen Vaccine Biologics, and AmCad BioMed hit daily limits.

Shipping stocks, which had performed strongly in recent sessions, moved lower. Major container shipping stocks posted notable declines, with Yang Ming Marine Transport and Wan Hai Lines each falling more than 9% at the close, while Evergreen Marine lost 6.1%. Bulk shipping stocks Sincere Navigation, U-Ming Marine Transport, Wisdom Marine, and Shih Wei Navigation ended lower.

Taishin Securities Investment Advisory general manager Huang Wen-ching (黃文清) said the market is watching Nvidia’s upcoming earnings report and outlook for signs of sustained AI demand. US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech later this week could offer insight into economic conditions and the Fed’s interest rate policy.

Huang said the TAIEX is unlikely to set another record high in the near term and is expected to remain range-bound. He added that some AI-related stocks had already risen significantly on expectations of future growth, leaving investors waiting for clearer signs of sustained momentum.

President Capital Management recommended buying on weakness and reducing weaker holdings on rebounds, with a focus on actively traded large- and mid-cap AI stocks. For longer-term investors, the brokerage recommended sectors including advanced packaging, printed circuit boards, silicon wafers, chassis rails, and high-dividend financial stocks.

This information is not intended as personalized financial advice. Investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and analysis before making investment decisions.