Market close
Taiwan stocks finished lower on Wednesday. At the close, the Taiwan Weighted fell 0.17% as declines in the , Optoelectronic and Auto sectors contributed to downward pressure on the index.
Top performers
The leading gains on the Taiwan Weighted came from Zinwell Corporation (TW:2485), which advanced 10.00% or 6.20 points to close at 68.20. Plotech Co Ltd (TW:6141) also rose 10.00% or 2.00 points to end the session at 22.00, while Yuan Jen Enterprises Co Ltd (TW:1725) climbed 10.00% or 2.95 points to 32.45 by late trade.
Largest decliners
On the downside, Test Research Inc (TW:3030) recorded a 9.91% drop, losing 27.50 points to finish at 250.00. San Fu Chemical Co Ltd (TW:4755) declined 9.73% or 16.50 points to close at 153.00, and Lida Holdings Ltd (TW:4552) was down 9.09% or 2.10 points to 21.00.
Market breadth and milestones
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Taiwan Stock Exchange by 0 to 0. Shares in Zinwell Corporation (TW:2485) rose to 5-year highs; gaining 10.00% or 6.20 to 68.20. Shares in Plotech Co Ltd (TW:6141) rose to 3-years highs; rising 10.00% or 2.00 to 22.00.
Commodities and currencies
Energy markets tracked lower on the session. Crude oil for May delivery was down 3.52% or 3.36 to $92.17 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery fell 2.30% or 2.38 to $101.04 a barrel. Precious metals saw a modest decline with the April Gold Futures contract down 0.13% or 6.59 to trade at $5,001.61 a troy ounce.
In currency markets, USD/TWD was down 0.04% to 31.84, while TWD/CNY was unchanged 0.09% to 0.22. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.08% at 99.25.
Context and implications
Wednesday’s session combined concentrated strength among a few small-cap names with notable weakness in several others, producing a modest decline for the Taiwan Weighted. Movements in energy and precious metals prices, alongside small shifts in FX rates, accompanied the equity action. The market breadth figures reported an unusual 0 to 0 ratio for advancing versus declining issues as stated in official close data.