November sales concerns send TAIEX into spin

Stocks yesterday, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) after a Chinese-language newspaper reported its sales last month were unchanged from the previous month.

The TAIEX shed 20.41 point to 5,900.05. The index gained 2.2 percent for the week, its first weekly advance in four. The Taiwan Futures Index shed 0.5 percent to 5,904. About six stocks fell for every five that rose.

TSMC NT$2, or 3 percent, to NT$65. The company plans to announce its sales figures for last month on Tuesday, said spokesman Tzeng Jinnhaw (曾晉皓).

Asustek Computer Inc (華碩電腦) rose NT$5, or 6.6 percent, to NT$80.50 after a Chinese-language newspaper reported that sales will rise 50 percent next year to NT$300 billion as the company expands its mainland production plant, citing chairman Jonney Shih (施崇堂).

Asustek to relocate a Taiwan-based notebook computer unit it bought from Elitegroup Computer Systems Co (精英電腦) earlier this year to Shanghai at the request of customer Apple Computer Inc, the report said.

Asustek the report, which it said was "based on estimates of analysts and the media."

AU Optronics Corp (友達光電), the nation's largest maker of flat panel displays, rose US$0.50, or 1.2 percent, to NT$43. AU Optronics said sales last month doubled from a year ago to NT$10.6 billion. AU Optronics' November consolidated sales, including its units, rose to a record NT$11.4 billion, the company said in a statement.