Nearly 360,000 Shareholders Take Note! Cathay Asset Management Announces Major Dividend Reform for 00881 ETF, Linked to TSMC

Several Taiwan stock ETFs have recently undergone dividend payouts (ex-dividend), with the 'Cathay Taiwan Tech Leaders' (00881), which went ex-dividend on August 18, seeing a trading volume of 400,000 lots over the past five days and a transaction value of approximately NT$21.5 billion, continuing to attract strong market interest.

According to the latest fund prospectus published on Cathay Asset Management’s official website, 00881 will modify its income valuation date and distribution months starting October 15, with an additional income distribution scheduled for December this year.

As of mid-August, the latest number of 00881 beneficiaries is approximately 357,800. Fund manager Su Ding-Yu stated that TSMC is the largest holding in 00881 (around 40%), and since TSMC currently operates a quarterly dividend mechanism, with ex-dividend dates in March, June, September, and December each year, the adjustment to 00881’s ex-dividend months—now set for June and December annually—is primarily intended to align with the payout schedule of its largest component stock, making it easier for investors to understand the fund’s dividend sources and timing.

Additionally, conducting a dividend payout in December benefits investors by allowing them to review their full-year investment performance and receive cash flows before year-end, facilitating better financial planning for the following year.

The next ex-dividend date for 00881 will be December 16, 2026, with the final subscription date set for December 15, 2026.

Cathay Asset Management continues to dynamically adjust the mechanisms of its active and passive ETF products in response to market changes, optimizing income distribution evaluation and processes to better align disbursement timing with Taiwan’s peak dividend and rights issue seasons and operational rhythms, thereby enhancing fund operational efficiency.

Cathay Asset Management reminds investors that the next ex-dividend date for 00881 is December 16, 2026, the final subscription date is December 15, 2026, and the scheduled payout date is January 12, 2027. Investors must pay close attention to these timelines.

The long-term return of the index tracked by 00881 significantly outperforms the Taiwan Weighted Index.

According to information disclosed by major financial holding companies, four large insurance-linked financial groups—Cathay Financial, Fubon Financial, CTBC Financial, and Kai-Fu Financial—actively increased their positions in Taiwan’s AI technology stocks during their Q2 Taiwan equity investment strategies. The defining feature of 00881 is its focus on Taiwan’s leading technology firms.

Institutional investors note that Taiwan’s stock market is benefiting from the AI era, with accelerating supply chain demand driving strong performance in tech stocks. According to Bloomberg statistics, the 'Taiwan Tech Leaders Communication Index' tracked by 00881 achieved a long-term return of 1202.91% between January 4, 2016, and July 31, 2026, significantly outperforming the Taiwan Weighted Index’s 673.93%.

Cathay Asset Management states that AI demand continues to expand, and Taiwan’s semiconductor and technology supply chain remains globally pivotal, with the medium- to long-term fundamentals supporting the Taiwan stock market unchanged. The AI boom is spreading from exports to corporate capital expenditures, becoming a key engine driving Taiwan’s economy.

Looking ahead, Cathay Asset Management analyzes that Q3 is typically a seasonally weaker period for Taiwan stocks in terms of win rate and returns, but a recovery is expected in Q4. Given that the long-term bullish structure of the Taiwan market remains intact, market pullbacks can be viewed as opportunities to gradually accumulate positions.

Cathay Asset Management explains that 00881’s holdings are heavily concentrated in Taiwan’s technology sector, with nearly 40% allocated to TSMC, followed by MediaTek, Delta Electronics, and Hon Hai, covering IC design, power management, and electronics contract manufacturing. Other holdings include Unimicron, Chuan-Hu, Tatung, United Microelectronics, Chroma ATE, and Qioptiq, focusing on PCBs, server components, semiconductors, and testing equipment. Overall, the fund benefits from technological trends such as AI, high-performance computing, and advanced processes, making it a key investment vehicle for capturing the growth of Taiwan’s technology leaders.