Shares closed 0.79 percent lower yesterday amid caution about Wall Street's weakness and the opposition's plan to hold a big rally today over the nation's disputed presidential election, dealers said.
The TAIEX closed down 52.50 points at 6,620.36, after moving within a range of 6,662.31 and 6,607.89 points, on turnover of NT$109.3 billion (US$3.31 billion).
Decliners led gainers 575 to 238, with 159 stocks unchanged. Fourteen stocks closed limit-up, while three were limit-down.
The food sector was down 2.05 percent, cement down 1.65 percent, financials down 1.21 percent, petrochemicals down 1.13 percent and electronics down 0.47 percent.
"The local bourse may continue to be affected by political uncertainties ahead of the presidential inauguration on May 20," said Alan Yeh (
But the market would look at economic fundamentals for direction after the inauguration, as the government's economic policy would come under the spotlight once the Cabinet reshuffle was completed, he said.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (
First Financial Holding Co (
First Financial, the nation's third-largest financial services provider, fell after saying it is putting merger plans on hold to focus on an internal revamp.
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