Geopolitical Negotiations Add Variables; Analysts: Taiwan Stocks to Oscillate at Highs, Watch Inflation Risks

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 868.71 points, or 1.79%, to close at 49447.43 on the 17th. The S&P 500 rose 84.78 points, or 1.2%, to close at 7126.06. The Nasdaq Composite rose 365.78 points, or 1.52%, to close at 24468.48. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 226.537 points, or 2.43%, to close at 9555.883. Affected by geopolitical factors and profit-taking pressure after TSMC's investor conference, Taiwan stocks reached a new intraday high of 37145 points on the 17th before weakening, closing down 327.68 points at 36804.34. Major institutions collectively sold NT$15.919 billion worth of shares; proprietary traders sold NT$3.565 billion, foreign and mainland Chinese investors turned to net sellers of NT$2.04 billion, and investment trusts sold NT$10.314 billion, marking the fourth consecutive day of net selling. In industry news, PCB giant Zhen Ding-KY resolved that its subsidiary, Lite-On Semiconductor Technology, plans to apply for listing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This will be submitted to the annual shareholder meeting for approval, aiming to independently release the value of its high-growth business and strengthen the group's global competitiveness in AI era core infrastructure. Wafer foundry UMC confirmed on the 17th that it will adjust wafer prices in the second half of the year, in response to UMC's continuous investment and increased costs for raw materials, energy, and logistics. Contract manufacturer Wistron's subsidiary, WisLab EMS Corporation, approved the purchase of a factory in Fremont, California, for $61 million (approximately NT$1.92 billion) to meet local production demands. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150420