Taiwan Stocks Rise for 2nd Consecutive Week; Analysts Point to US Tech Earnings and AI Themes
Taiwan's stock market ended the week higher, fueled by AI and semiconductor optimism and strong US tech earnings. Despite strong domestic momentum, investors are advised to monitor the emerging geopolitical crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 10:17
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 11:00 (43 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 11:04 (3 min after Collected)
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 868.71 points, or 1.79%, to close at 49,447.43 on the 17th; the S&P 500 gained 84.78 points, or 1.2%, to end at 7,126.06; the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 365.78 points, or 1.52%, to close at 24,468.48; and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index advanced 226.537 points, or 2.43%, to close at 9,555.883.
Taiwan stocks closed down 327.68 points at 36,804.34 on the 17th. Although the centralized market index pulled back, the OTC index bucked the trend to hit a new high. Moreover, stock runner-up WinWay breached the NT$10,000 mark, joining stock king Aspeed to create Taiwan's first-ever "double 10,000" record. The number of "thousand-dollar" stocks also expanded to 45, indicating highly active market funds seeking opportunities in the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor supply chains.
The three major institutional investors were net sellers of Taiwan stocks on the 17th, totaling NT$15.919 billion. Dealers turned to net sellers of NT$3.565 billion, foreign and mainland Chinese investors turned to net sellers of NT$2.04 billion, and investment trusts were net sellers of NT$10.314 billion, selling for the fourth consecutive day.
Li Fang-kuo, chairman of President Capital Management, told CNA reporters that Taiwan stocks have recently been under the dual pressure of geopolitical risks and profit-taking following TSMC's earnings call. However, looking at technicals, major US indices have recovered their losses for the year and stood back above moving averages, providing positive momentum for Taiwan stocks this week.
Statistically, Li pointed out that over the past 10 years, the S&P 500's probability of rising in May, June, and July has been 90%, 80%, and 100%, respectively, showing a "prone to rise, hard to fall" trend. Fundamentals also provide strong support: the estimated Q1 earnings growth for the S&P 500 has been revised up from 12% to 18%, and for the tech and ICT sectors, it surged from 35% to 45%.
Li said the market's focus this week will shift to earnings from heavyweights like Tesla. Furthermore, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's scheduled speech in Taiwan on June 1 is expected to heat up the AI theme. With support from capital and fundamentals, Taiwan stocks have a chance to challenge new highs in the first half of the year.
However, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on the 18th that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed starting tonight until the US lifts the blockade on Iranian ports, warning that any violating vessels approaching the strait will become targets. US President Trump has convened a White House Situation Room meeting to discuss the new crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150419
Taiwan stocks closed down 327.68 points at 36,804.34 on the 17th. Although the centralized market index pulled back, the OTC index bucked the trend to hit a new high. Moreover, stock runner-up WinWay breached the NT$10,000 mark, joining stock king Aspeed to create Taiwan's first-ever "double 10,000" record. The number of "thousand-dollar" stocks also expanded to 45, indicating highly active market funds seeking opportunities in the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor supply chains.
The three major institutional investors were net sellers of Taiwan stocks on the 17th, totaling NT$15.919 billion. Dealers turned to net sellers of NT$3.565 billion, foreign and mainland Chinese investors turned to net sellers of NT$2.04 billion, and investment trusts were net sellers of NT$10.314 billion, selling for the fourth consecutive day.
Li Fang-kuo, chairman of President Capital Management, told CNA reporters that Taiwan stocks have recently been under the dual pressure of geopolitical risks and profit-taking following TSMC's earnings call. However, looking at technicals, major US indices have recovered their losses for the year and stood back above moving averages, providing positive momentum for Taiwan stocks this week.
Statistically, Li pointed out that over the past 10 years, the S&P 500's probability of rising in May, June, and July has been 90%, 80%, and 100%, respectively, showing a "prone to rise, hard to fall" trend. Fundamentals also provide strong support: the estimated Q1 earnings growth for the S&P 500 has been revised up from 12% to 18%, and for the tech and ICT sectors, it surged from 35% to 45%.
Li said the market's focus this week will shift to earnings from heavyweights like Tesla. Furthermore, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's scheduled speech in Taiwan on June 1 is expected to heat up the AI theme. With support from capital and fundamentals, Taiwan stocks have a chance to challenge new highs in the first half of the year.
However, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced on the 18th that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed starting tonight until the US lifts the blockade on Iranian ports, warning that any violating vessels approaching the strait will become targets. US President Trump has convened a White House Situation Room meeting to discuss the new crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150419