TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's benchmark stock index climbed Thursday (July 17), adding 70.38 points to close at 23,113.28 amid healthy trading volume. Market activity reached NT$329.027 billion (approximately US$11.2 billion) as investors navigated a varied landscape of sectoral performance. Market participants maintained a cautious stance ahead of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC, 台積電) closely watched investor conference, an event that typically provides critical guidance for the global semiconductor industry and Taiwan's export-oriented economy.
The island's semiconductor giants showed mixed performance as market heavyweight TSMC held steady at NT$1,130 (US$38.44) despite heightened investor attention before its earnings call. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Foxconn, 鴻海), the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer, gained NT$1.5 or 0.92% to finish at NT$164 (US$5.58), while chip designer MediaTek Inc. (聯發科) declined NT$20 or 1.42% to NT$1,390 (US$47.28). Companies in the battery backup sector demonstrated particular strength, with STL Technology Co., Ltd. (新盛力) staging an impressive recovery after its NT$2 per share dividend distribution, surging to hit its daily upward limit at NT$106 (US$3.61).
Silicon wafer manufacturers emerged as standout performers, buoyed by reports of rising product prices in the global market. Five major players in this critical semiconductor supply chain segment — GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. (環球晶), Formosa Sumco Technology Corporation (台勝科), Wafer Works Corp. (合晶), Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. (中美晶), and Episil-Precision Inc. (嘉晶) — all surged to hit their maximum daily trading limits. The petrochemical sector also delivered robust gains as the four flagship companies of the influential Formosa Group conglomerate — Formosa Plastics Corp. (台塑), Nan Ya Plastics Corp. (南亞), Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp. (台化), and Formosa Petrochemical Corp. (台塑化) — each advanced more than half their daily allowable limits. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$29.4)
