Stocks dropped for a second day, led by computer-related companies and chipmakers, after Quanta Computer Inc (
"The recover in the computer industry remains weak and now some investors are worried that war will exacerbate the slow-down," said Jerry Chen, who manages the NT$3.5 billion (US$101 million) Excellent Fund at First Global Investment Trust Co (元大投信).
The TAIEX slid 98.21, or 2 percent, to 4,735.37. The index declined as much as 4 percent in early trading. About five stocks fell for every one gained.
The Singapore-based MSCI Taiwan futures for February delivery lost 2.5 percent to 194.90.
Quanta tumbled NT$2, or 3.3 percent, to NT$59.50. Fourth-quarter profit fell 2.1 percent to NT$2.76 billion from a year ago, lagging the average NT$3.2 billion forecast in a Bloomberg survey of five analysts. Quanta clients include Dell Computer Corp.
"Electronics makers are struggling as consumers are now less willing to buy expensive computers and want more for their money," said Tracy Chen, who manages NT$2.6 billion funds at Prudential Securities Investment Trust Co (保誠投信).
Taiwan Semiconductor Manu-facturing Co (TSMC,
United Microelectronics Corp (UMC,
AU Optronics Corp (
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