Taiwan Stock Market Plunges 1,195 Points, 9th Largest Drop in History, Falls Below Quarterly Line; Weekly Gain Still 983 Points

The Taipei stock market faced significant downward pressure today (24th) due to four major adverse factors: the implementation of Trump's new tariffs on the 24th, international crude oil prices breaking above $100 per barrel, declines across Asian equity markets, and weakening market momentum. The market closed down 1,195.97 points, or 2.67%, at 43,654.84, marking the 9th largest point drop in history and falling below the quarterly moving average line once again. Trading value shrank to NT$792.435 billion. Despite today’s sharp drop, the market still posted a weekly gain of 983.57 points, or 2.3%, as today also marked the end of the trading week.

Today’s market was dragged down by a decline in TSMC (2330-TW), leading to a weak performance in the broader electronics sector. Electronic materials subsectors, including CCL (Copper Clad Laminate) and IC substrate stocks, were hit hardest. The Formosa Plastics Group (1301-TW) also performed poorly. The electronics index closed down 2.99%, still accounting for 78.43% of total market turnover.

Japanese and South Korean markets also suffered sharp declines today, with Japan’s Nikkei falling 2.7% and South Korea’s market plunging 4.8%, triggering another circuit breaker during trading. The New Taiwan dollar weakened against the U.S. dollar, closing at NT$32.380 per USD at midday, down 1.14 cents, with a trading volume of $644 million.

The Taiwan stock market opened at 44,769.39 points today, reaching a high of 44,769.39 and a low of 43,607.40, before closing at 43,654.84, down 1,195.97 points or 2.67%, with trading value shrinking to NT$792.435 billion.

According to senior securities analyst Jane Chien, the shrinking trading volume reflects foreign investors’ cautious outlook on the market. The OTC index performed even worse, closing down 3.69%, further contributing to market hesitation. Until the market shows a clear breakout direction, capital remains hesitant. Additionally, the upcoming earnings reports from major U.S. and Japanese tech companies are contributing to the decline in market liquidity.

Today’s heavyweight stocks performed weakly across the board. TSMC closed down NT$55, or 2.29%, at NT$2,350. MediaTek (2454-TW) fell NT$125, or 3.23%, to NT$3,750. Largan Precision (3008-TW) dropped NT$220, or 5.31%, to NT$3,920.

CCL and IC substrate stocks were among today’s hardest-hit sectors. Companies including Taimex (2383-TW), Lam Tsor (6213-TW), and Tripod Technology (6274-TW) all closed lower.

IC substrate stocks performed particularly poorly, representing another major pain point for the electronics sector. Nanya PCB (8046-TW) closed at the daily limit down of NT$1,110. Unimicron (3037-TW) fell 6.36% to NT$839, and Kinsus Interconnect Technology (3189-TW) dropped 9.43% to NT$771.

Amid the market downturn, positive news emerged: the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) today released its latest economic forecast, significantly raising its 2026 GDP growth projection for Taiwan from 7.56% in April to 10.38%. The upward revision is attributed to strong demand for artificial intelligence driving export performance and balanced development between domestic and external demand.