U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Taiwan stocks closed higher on Thursday, supported by broad-based gains across key sectors including semiconductors, oil, gas and electricity, as well as construction. The Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index finished the session up 0.57%, reflecting positive investor sentiment despite mixed signals from global markets.
The semiconductor sector played a crucial role in lifting the overall market, continuing to benefit from strong long-term demand expectations tied to artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and advanced electronics. Energy-related shares and construction stocks also contributed to the upside, helping offset declines seen in select technology and development names.
Among the best-performing stocks on the Taiwan Weighted Index was Universal Microelectronics Co Ltd (TW:2413), which surged 9.96% to close at 37.00, marking a new 52-week high. Ene Technology Inc (TW:6243) also posted strong gains, rising 9.94% to end the session at 38.70. Evermore Chemical Industry Co Ltd (TW:1735) rounded out the top performers, advancing 9.92% to close at 19.40, reflecting strong buying interest in specialty materials and industrial stocks.
On the downside, CviLux Corp (TW:8103) was the weakest performer, falling 5.65% to 85.20. Powertech Technology Inc (TW:6239) declined 4.65% to 164.00, while Choice Development Inc (TW:9929) slipped 4.55% to finish at 10.50. Despite these losses, market breadth data was neutral, with falling stocks neither clearly outnumbering nor trailing advancing shares on the exchange.
In commodities trading, crude oil prices edged slightly lower, with February delivery down 0.09% to $58.35 per barrel. Brent oil also slipped 0.14% to $62.29. Gold futures for February were unchanged at $4,505.40 per troy ounce, suggesting cautious positioning among investors.
In the currency market, the US dollar remained flat against the Taiwan dollar at 31.44, while the Taiwan dollar also held steady against the Chinese yuan at 0.22. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures edged up 0.04% to 97.65, indicating mild strength in the greenback.
Overall, the Taiwan stock market demonstrated resilience, with sector-driven gains helping sustain positive momentum amid stable currency movements and subdued commodity price fluctuations.
