Stocks fell for the first day in three. Quanta Computer Inc (廣達電腦) dropped after Apple Computer Inc, one of its major customers, said second-quarter profit declined by almost two-thirds.
United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電), the nation's second-largest maker of computer chips on a subcontracting basis, declined after client Advanced Micro Devices Inc said its first-quarter net loss widened as sales dropped 21 percent.
"Investors are using US corporate earning figures as guidance for Taiwan companies," said Simon Chao (趙永宏), who manages US$17 million at President Investment Trust Corp (統一投信).
The TAIEX shed 42.66, or 0.9 percent, to 4,566.66. Four stocks declined for every one that gained.
MSCI Taiwan futures for April delivery in Singapore dropped 0.8 percent to 196.60, while the Taiwan Futures Index lost 0.7 percent to 4,557.
Quanta, the nation's largest notebook computer maker, fell NT$0.50, or 0.7 percent, to NT$69.50. Apple, which makes iMac personal computers, said net income in the quarter ended March 29 dropped to US$14 million from US$40 million a year earlier.
UMC fell NT$0.40, or 1.9 percent, to NT$20.60. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC,
Advanced Micro said the loss expanded to US$146.4 million from US$9.16 million a year earlier. Sales fell to US$714.6 million from US$902.1 million, the company said in a statement.
China Airlines Co (
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