Taiwan equities finished higher on Thursday, with the Taiwan Weighted rising 2.37% to reach a new all-time high at the close. Broad strength was concentrated in the Glass, Plastic and Optoelectronic sectors, which underpinned the market advance.
The session's top performers included AU Optronics (TW:2409), which climbed 10.00% or 1.80 points to close at 19.80. Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corp (TW:1312) also gained 10.00% or 1.35 points to finish at 14.85, while Hiwin Technologies Corp (TW:2049) rose 10.00% or 25.00 points to end trading at 275.00.
On the downside, United Renewable Energy Co Ltd (TW:3576) led decliners, falling 9.94% or 1.70 points to close at 15.40. Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group Co Ltd (TW:1589) declined 9.92% or 0.61 points to 5.54 at the close, and WNC Corp (TW:6285) was down 9.68% or 24.00 points to 224.00.
Within the exchange's listings, rising names outnumbered falling ones. The record shows: "Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Taiwan Stock Exchange by 0 to 0."
Several companies marked notable price milestones in the session. AU Optronics (TW:2409) rose to 52-week highs, gaining 10.00% or 1.80 to 19.80. Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corp (TW:1312) also rose to 52-week highs, adding 10.00% or 1.35 to 14.85. Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group Co Ltd (TW:1589) fell to all-time lows, declining 9.92% or 0.61 to 5.54. Hiwin Technologies Corp (TW:2049) likewise advanced to 52-week highs, rising 10.00% or 25.00 to 275.00.
Commodity markets showed mixed moves during the trading day. Crude oil for May delivery increased 0.32% or 0.29 to $91.58 a barrel. Brent oil for June delivery slipped 0.15% or 0.14 to $94.79 a barrel. The June Gold Futures contract rose 0.44% or 21.46 to trade at $4,845.06 a troy ounce.
Currency and index futures also moved modestly. USD/TWD declined 0.18% to 31.55, while TWD/CNY was unchanged 0.28% to 0.22. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.06% at 97.80.
Market takeaway: The Taiwan market closed at a record level, buoyed by sector-specific gains in glass, plastic and optoelectronics, and punctuated by large percentage swings in several individual stocks. Commodities and currency pairs experienced modest and mixed shifts during the same session.