Stocks fell, led by Asustek Computer Inc (
The TAIEX fell 139.36, or 2.3 percent, to 6,065.73. The index has fallen 6 percent in the past four trading days on concern an economic recovery in the US may lag expectations, damping orders for computers and electronics parts made in Taiwan.
"The supposition of a US-led recovery in the second half is being questioned," said Bryan Chiang, who helps manage NT$1.8 billion (US$52 million) at Invesco Taiwan Ltd (
Asustek reported first-quarter profit fell a more-than- expected 41 percent to NT$3 billion (US$87 million) as it cut prices to secure orders from customers such as Dell Computer Corp. Asustek fell NT$9, or 6.7 percent, to NT$125.50.
Within the TAIEX, about nine stocks fell for every one that rose. The total value of trade was NT$82 billion (US$2.4 billion), a third below the six-month daily average of NT$122 billion.
Acer Inc (
AU Optronics Corp (友達光電) rose NT$0.50, or 1 percent, to NT$52.50 after the world's third-largest flat-panel display maker said it expects to turn to a full-year profit of NT$14.3 billion on rising demand for flat-panel-screen computer monitors.
Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信) rose NT$1, or 2 percent, to NT$51.50. The monopoly phone company said first-quarter profit rose a third to NT$12.5 billion after it slashed its workforce by 17 percent.
Fubon Financial Holding Co (富邦金控) fell NT$0.80, or 2.2 percent, to NT$35.40. The firm, which owns the nation's largest non-life insurer, said it made a first-quarter profit of NT$1.87 billion. It started trading as a financial holding company in December, so no comparative figures were available.
MediaTek Inc (
RETHINK? The defense ministry and Navy Command Headquarters could take over the indigenous submarine project and change its production timeline, a source said Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s (黃曙光) resignation as head of the Indigenous Submarine Program and as a member of the National Security Council could affect the production of submarines, a source said yesterday. Huang in a statement last night said he had decided to resign due to national security concerns while expressing the hope that it would put a stop to political wrangling that only undermines the advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said that the admiral, her older brother, felt it was time for him to step down and that he had completed what he
Taiwan has experienced its most significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, data provided on Sunday by international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed. Compared with last year’s edition of the rankings, which measure academic excellence and influence, Taiwanese universities made great improvements in the H Index metric, which evaluates research productivity and its impact, with a notable 30 percent increase overall, QS said. Taiwanese universities also made notable progress in the Citations per Paper metric, which measures the impact of research, achieving a 13 percent increase. Taiwanese universities gained 10 percent in Academic Reputation, but declined 18 percent
CHINA REACTS: The patrol and reconnaissance plane ‘transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,’ the 7th Fleet said, while Taipei said it saw nothing unusual The US 7th Fleet yesterday said that a US Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait, a day after US and Chinese defense heads held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions. The patrol and reconnaissance plane “transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,” the 7th Fleet said in a news release. “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.” In a separate statement, the Ministry of National Defense said that it monitored nearby waters and airspace as the aircraft
UNDER DISCUSSION: The combatant command would integrate fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups to defend waters closest to the coastline, a source said The military could establish a new combatant command as early as 2026, which would be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters 24 nautical miles (44.4km) from the nation’s coastline, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. The new command, which would fall under the Naval Command Headquarters, would be led by a vice admiral and integrate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. It could be launched by 2026, but details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced, the source