Taiwan stocks end mixed; TSMC goes up, Asustek drops

Taiwan's stock index rose, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manu-facturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) and other exporters, after US consumer confidence rose more than expected, another sign that the world's largest economy is rebounding from recession.

Asustek Computer Inc (華碩電腦) fell after a newspaper report said computer motherboard prices were slashed at the Cebit technology tradeshow in Germany. Taiwan's largest motherboard maker fell NT$2, or 1.3 percent, to NT$158.

The TAIEX rose 20.66, or 0.4 percent, to 5972.11. Within the index, 232 stocks rose, 271 fell and 57 were unchanged. The total value of trading fell 39 percent to NT$72.4 billion (US$2.1 billion).

"Overall, the market outlook is conservative as we are not sure about the second-quarter results, with the second quarter being traditionally a lull period," said Brian Huang, who helps manage the NT$3 billion in Taiwan equities at Truswell Securities Investment Trust Co (富鼎投信).

Made-to-order chipmakers rose after the Philadelphia Semicon Index rose 2.7 percent Friday.