HSBC advanced 2.6 percent to HK$89.25 and was the most active stock by value. Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp, HSBC's Hong Kong-based lender, on May 8 said 2002 earnings from China rose to 156.1 million yuan (US$18.9 million) on higher fees and interest income after it expanded banking services at nine branches and two representative offices.
HSBC was the first global lender to report how much money it's making on the mainland.
"Investors like news like that," said Stella Lau, who helps manage US$600 million in assets at East Asia Asset Management Ltd, which owns HSBC shares. "We're looking for opportunities."
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd gained 2.7 percent to HK$9.60.
The city on Thursday reported the fewest number of new cases and deaths from severe acute respiratory syndrome since the outbreak began in March.
The TWSE Index added 52.93 to 4244.18. The Taiwan Futures Index gained 1.4 percent to 4224.
Taiwan Semiconductor, the world's largest maker of computer chips on a subcontracting basis, rose 1.7 percent to NT$47.50. It said after the market closed on May 8 that April sales rose 14 percent to NT$15.3 billion (US$440 million).
Quanta, the world's largest notebook computer maker by volume, rose 4.2 percent to NT$62.50. It said its April sales rose 77.2 percent from a year earlier to a record NT$20.6 billion.
Some investors said the two companies are more competitive than rivals when economic conditions are unfavorable.
"The adverse economic climate will weed out marginal players in the industry, especially in the fast-changing technology sector," said Eddie Chiu, who manages the equivalent of US$115 million in First Global Investment Trust Co's Hitech Fund. "Only the strong players will survive in this brutal process."
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