US Stocks Close Lower Amid Middle East Tensions; Advisors Focus on TSMC Tech Symposium

(CNA reporter Ho Hsiu-ling, Taipei, 22nd) Market sentiment in US equities was swayed by the situation in the Middle East on the 21st, causing the three major indices to close lower. Investment advisors noted that the TSMC Technology Symposium will kick off on the 22nd (Pacific Time), expecting a strong focus on key technologies like the A14 process and advanced SoIC packaging. The market is paying close attention to the subsequent movements of the related supply chains.

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on the evening of the 22nd (Eastern Time). Escalating uncertainty regarding how the situation will develop post-ceasefire led most major US stock indices to fall.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 293.18 points, or 0.59%, to close at 49,149.38; the S&P 500 Index dropped 45.13 points, or 0.63%, to end at 7,064.01; the Nasdaq Composite fell 144.43 points, or 0.59%, closing at 24,259.96. However, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 48.00 points, or 0.50%, finishing at 9,647.22.

Foreign media reported that US President Trump announced on the 21st an extension of the ceasefire with Iran until Tehran proposes an agreed-upon plan to end hostilities with the US and Israel and completes the related discussions. He also directed the US Navy to continue its blockade of Iranian ports.

Looking at individual stocks, NVIDIA fell by 1.08%, while TSMC ADR gained 0.5%.

The Taiwan stock market ultimately rose by 646.31 points on the 21st, closing at 37,605.11 and setting another all-time high. The three major institutional investors combined for a net purchase of 67.656 billion NTD. Among them, foreign and mainland Chinese investors (excluding foreign dealers) accounted for a net purchase of 60.153 billion NTD, marking the 7th largest single-day net buying amount in history.

The top three stocks bought by foreign investors were Taiwan Glass (36,618 shares), the actively managed Capital US Growth ETF (28,535 shares), and Wistron (27,712 shares).

The top three stocks sold by foreign investors were the actively managed Uni-President Taiwan Stock Growth ETF (43,007 shares), AUO (32,101 shares), and the actively managed Capital Tech Innovation ETF (27,651 shares). Two popular active ETFs made the list.

From a technical perspective, KGI Securities Investment Advisory pointed out that the Taiwan stock market hit a new high on the 21st, recovering the upper shadow from the 20th and establishing a firm footing above the 37,000-point milestone. With trading volume rising back above the 5-day moving average, this combination of rising prices and increasing volume is favorable for Taiwan stocks to continue advancing along the 5-day line to challenge the 38,000-point mark. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao)