The Taiwan stock market has finished lower now in three straight sessions, including Saturday's extra day of trade to make up for the holidays later this month. The Stock Exchange of Taiwan has plunged more than 325 points or 4.2 percent in that span and now rests above support at the 7,210-point plateau - but now analysts are forecasting a mild rebound at the opening of trade on Monday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic after many of the bourses suffered brutal losses at the end of last week. Firmer commodity prices - especially gold and oil - will provide support, along with technology, airline and financial stocks. The European markets ended sharply lower, while the U.S. bourses tracked slightly higher - and now the Asian markets are also predicted to move to the upside.
The TSE finished sharply lower on Friday, in line with other regional declines, thanks to losses in all of the major sectors. The market ended flat with a touch of downside in thin trade on Saturday.
On Friday, the market plunged 324.21 points or 4.29 percent to finish at 7,217.83 after trading between 7,352.98 and a low of 7,196.39. Volume was 4.61 billion shares worth 121.69 billion Taiwan dollars. There were 2,918 decliners and 398 gainers, with 45 stocks finishing unchanged.
On Saturday, the index eased 4.96 points or 0.1 percent to finish at 7,212.87 after trading between 7,080.90 and 7,249.19. Among the actives, Taishin Financial Holding and Chunghwa Picture Tubes both sank by the 7 percent daily limit, while Hon Hai Precision Industry added 1.9 percent.
The lead from Wall Street is mildly positive as stocks were able to advance by modest margins on Friday after a significantly volatile session. The major averages closed in positive territory after spending most of the day in the red.
Stocks plunged in the early afternoon on concerns about the labor market, but the major averages staged a strong recovery amid speculation the European Union would concoct a solution to Greece's debt problems.
The recovery was also spurred by a report from the Federal Reserve showing that the contraction in consumer credit markets slowed by much more than expected. Consumer credit fell by $1.73 billion in December after a revised $21.8 billion decline in November. Economists had been expecting credit to decrease by a much more substantial $10.0 billion compared to the $17.5 billion decrease originally reported for the previous month.
Stocks saw some weakness after the Labor Department reported that non-farm payroll employment declined by 20,000 jobs in January following a revised decrease of 150,000 jobs in December. Economists had forecast employment to edge up by 15,000 jobs compared to the loss of 85,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.
The Labor Department report also said that the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 9.7 percent in January from 10.0 percent in December. The decrease surprised economists, who had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 10.0 percent.
Trucking company Con-way Inc. (CNW) reported a fourth quarter loss that narrowed from last year and saw revenues that came in ahead of Street estimates.
Meat products producer Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN) recorded a first-quarter profit and revenues that topped expectations, while Aetna (AET) failed to meet fourth-quarter profit forecasts amid growing medical costs but beat projections on the revenue front.
The Dow gained 10.05 points or 0.1 percent to end at 10,012.23, the NASDAQ advanced by 15.69 points or 0.7 percent to 2,141.12 and the S&P 500 rose by 3.08 points or 0.3 percent to 1,066.19. Despite the recovery, the major averages fell for a fourth straight week due largely to the sell-off seen on Thursday. The Dow slipped by 0.5 percent, while the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 declined by 0.3 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.
In economic news, Taiwan is on Monday set to provide January figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are forecast to surge 100.8 percent on year after adding 56.2 percent in December. Exports are called to rise 62.9 percent on year after climbing an annual 46.9 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to show a surplus of $1.96 billion following the $1.65 billion surplus a month earlier.
Also, Taiwan's consumer price index rose 0.29 percent year-on-year in January, after falling 0.21 percent in December, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said on Friday. Economists expected an increase of 0.3 percent. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased 0.12 percent in January, compared to the 0.45 percent fall in the preceding month. The core CPI, which was excludes Fruits, Vegetables, Fish, Shellfish and Energy from the general index, dropped 1.11 percent on an annual basis and was up 0.01 percent compared to the preceding month.
Meanwhile, the wholesale price index increased 6.68 percent on an annual basis in January, faster than the 5.55 percent growth in the previous month. Economists' were looking for an increase of 6.63 percent. Month-on-month, the WPI was up 0.24 percent.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.