TWD 31 oct

17:05 31Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dollar down on worries over econ outlook

(Adds details, quotes)
TAIPEI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar reversed earlier gains to trade sharply lower on Friday due to uncertainty over the global economic outlook, which pushed Asian shares lower.
The Taiwan dollar ended at the day's low of T$33.000 to the U.S. dollar, 0.6 percent lower than the previous close of T$32.799, which was 1.5 percent higher on the day, marking the biggest percentage gain since Oct. 6, 1998.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc was active at $1.137 billion, lower than $3.329 billion a day earlier, which was the second highest turnover on record.
"Even though Taiwan's stocks rose sharply, regional markets were down, so people unwound their positions as they were worried about the global economy," said a dealer in Taipei.
Even though Taiwan's main TAIEX index <.TWII> rose 4 percent on Friday, partly helped by a surprise interest rate cut on Thursday, other markets in the region, such as Japan and Hong Kong, fell.
The central bank's surprise cut in the main policy rate to 3.0 percent from 3.25 percent was aimed at boosting economic growth given the bleak global outlook.
During Friday's session, foreign institutions bought and sold U.S. dollars as investors squared their positions due to market uncertainty.
"Some people are waiting for a clearer direction in the U.S. dollar after the U.S. presidential election," said another dealer in Taipei.
The United States will hold the election on Nov. 4.
Some foreign institutions conducted inflows in the stock market as they bought a net T$1.421 billion ($43 million), the first net purchase since mid-October.
Friday's loss meant that the local currency had already lost 10 percent since hitting a 10-1/2-year high as the global financial crisis spooked the island's markets.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar fell to T$32.983 to the U.S. dollar from the previous close of T$32.720.
(Reporting by Lee Chyen Yee and Lin Miao-jung; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)
((chyenyee.lee@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters Messaging: chyenyee.lee.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Friday, 31 October 2008 17:05:44RTRS [nTP289887] {EN}ENDS

TW Stock 31 Oct

14:32 31Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks extend rally led by techs, financials

* Taiwan stocks continue rally for a second day
* Financials up after rule to stem pressure on insurers
* Chip shares rise after report showing semiconductor growth

(Adds quotes, details)
TAIPEI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed 3.99 percent
higher on Friday, continuing their rally after posting the biggest
single-day percentage rise in eight years Thursday, as investors
bought into shares after government moves to prop up the market.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> closed 187.02 points
higher at 4,870.66, after the government implemented a temporary
rule change to ease pressure on insurers from losses incurred in
the global financial crisis [ID:nTP267184].
The surge was further supported by Thursday's decision by the
central bank to cut interest rates by 25 basis points, pushing
the banking and insurance sub-index <.TFNI> up 6.58 percent.
"Warmer cross-strait ties because of Chen Yunlin's (China's
top negotiator on Taiwan issues) visit together with China's bank
representatives is good news for the industry because it allows
for possible growth there," said Parker Wu, an analyst at Shin
Kong Investment Trust.
Turnover hit T$86.8 billion ($2.6 billion), the highest level
for the month.
Leading financial holding companies Cathay Financial
<2882.TW>, Fubon Financial <2881.TW>, Shin Kong Financial
<2888.TW> and Taishin Financial <2887.TW> all closed the day
limit-up.
Chip giants TSMC <2330.TW> and UMC <2303.TW> also both closed
up the daily limit of 7 percent after a report showed
semiconductor sales ticked up in September and after TSMC
reported third-quarter earnings in line with market expectations
[ID:nTP167635].
Taiwan's top electronic parts maker Hon Hai <2317.TW> also
closed 3.9 percent higher ahead of its earnings report for the
current quarter, which it must release by Friday.
LCD makers AU Optronics <2409.TW> and Chi Mei Optoelectronics
<3009.TW>, fighting a bleak industry outlook, struggled for much
of the day, though AU ended up 2.25 percent while Chi Mei
finished down 1.22 percent.
PC vendor Asustek <2357.TW> also bucked the trend, falling
2.16 percent, after it released weaker-than-expected results on
Thursday and offered a cautious outlook for the current quarter.
The broader electronics sub-index <.TELI> rose 3.48 percent.
China's top envoy for Taiwan affairs Chen Yunlin is due to
visit the island next Monday. Analysts failed to agree on the
possible effect of his visit on the stock market.
"We have already seen his visit reflected in the price of
airline and hospitality shares in the past week. This is probably
due to expectations of better business for hotels and airlines,"
said Wu at Shin Kong Investment Trust.
Others, however, were less optimistic.
"If the stock market can climb 500 points after Chen's visit,
he should come every week," said Alan Tseng, an analyst at
Capital Securities.
"The reason why airline shares are climbing again is because
they've fallen by a lot in the past few months and they are
climbing back up to a reasonable level."

HOT STOCKS
-- Shares of Compal Electronics <2324.TW>, the world's second
largest contract PC maker, rose by more than 6 percent after chip
giant Intel announced a large investment in VMAX, a joint venture
between Compal subsidiary Vibo and Tecom Co <2321.TW>. Tecom
shares rose 1.53 percent.
--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day x.xx percent
Close on day x,xxx.xx
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,110.09
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on [ID:nTP170358]
(Reporting by Kelvin Soh, Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)
((kelvin.soh@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters

TW Stock 30 Oct

14:15 30Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks post best day in 8 years on rate cut

* Market posts best day in eight years after rate cut
* Financials gain on hopes cut will boost lending
* Tech shares dominate, TSMC limit-up ahead of Q3 results

(Adds details, quote)
TAIPEI, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed 6.29 percent
higher on Thursday, their biggest single-day percentage rise in
eight years, after investors buoyed by news of a rate cut bought
into shares such as Cathay Financial <2882.TW> and Shin Kong
Financial <2888.TW>.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> closed 277.12 points
higher at 4,683.64, its highest close in a week. The day's gain
was the biggest one-day percentage rise since Oct. 20, 2000.
The index opened up less than a percent but rallied quickly
to jump by more than 5 percent just over an hour into trading.
"The improved liquidity which results from any rate cut is
one of the reasons for today's rise," said Kevin Lin,
vice-president at Marbo Securities.
"The effect of the government's move to halve the down limit
to 3.5 percent has also worn off plus we are now clearer of each
company's prospects since most Q3 earnings have been released,"
Lin said.
The banking and insurance sub-index <.TFNI> closed 6.82
percent higher on hopes that the cut in the island's benchmark
discount rate would boost lending and improve liquidity.
Shares of leading financial holding companies Cathay
Financial, Fubon Financial <2881.TW>, Shin Kong Financial and
Taishin Financial <2887.TW> all rose by their 7 percent daily
limit.
"Current valuations for these companies are lower than what
they were in 2000. They should not drop for much longer because
of the really low prices now," said Andy Wu, an analyst at
Reliance Securities Investment Trust.
Technology shares also joined in the trek upwards as they
continued to dominate trading for a second day, hogging the top
four spots by turnover.
Tech bellwether and top chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co (TSMC) <2330.TW> ended limit up, rising
for a third consecutive session, despite a bleak outlook by the
chairman of a local chip packaging firm.
After the market closed, TSMC posted a 0.7 percent rise in
quarterly profit on Thursday, hit by a slowing global economy
that has curbed spending on technology products. [ID:nTPU000813]
Its smaller rival United Microelectronics Corp (UMC)
<2303.TW> also went limit-up even after it reported its
first net loss in seven years and gave a bleak outlook for its
fourth-quarter wafer shipments on Wednesday.
The broader semiconductor sub-index rose <.TSII> 6.44
percent.

TW Stock 29 Oct

13:32 29Oct2008 RTRS-TAIWAN STOCKS <.TWII> CLOSE UP 0.15 PERCENT
13:42 29Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks close higher; tourism and finance up

(Adds close)
TAIPEI, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed 0.15 percent
higher on Wednesday on financial and hospitality shares but were
weighed down by tech shares such as AU Optronics <2409.TW> and
Nanya Tech <2408.TW>.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> gave up some of its early
gains to close 6.55 points higher at 4,406.52.
The tourism sub-index <.THOI> closed 5.75 percent higher, led
by hoteliers such as Ambassador Hotel <2704.TW> and Formosa Hotel
<2707.TW>, both of which rose about 6 percent.


wow, creamyjello says, its fast today!!! yay

TW Stock 28 Oct

14:47 28Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks rebound from 5-yr low; hotels rise

* Taiwan stocks swing 6 percent into the black
* Tourism shares up before visit by top Chinese envoy
* Electronics gain despite bleak outlook

(Updates comments, hot stocks; Adds details)
By Kelvin Soh
TAIPEI, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks rebounded from a
five-year low to close 0.76 percent higher on Tuesday, mirroring
similar comebacks in regional bourses and pulled up by tourism
shares ahead of an upcoming visit by a top Chinese envoy.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> closed 33.10 points higher
at 4,399.97, bouncing back after shedding more than 5 percent in
early trading and hitting an over 5-year intraday low of
4,110.09.
"We're seeing Hong Kong lead the way today," said Michael On,
managing director of Beyond Asset Management. "There are some
very attractive stock valuations in the Taiwan market and this is
probably why investors are buying."
However, even after taking into consideration Tuesday's rise,
the index has lost more than 27 percent of its value since Sep.
15, when U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers filed for
bankruptcy.
The broader tourism sub-index <.THOI> climbed 5.77 percent,
led by major hospitality groups Formosa Hotel <2707.TW> and
Leofood Development <2705.TW>, both of which went 7 percent limit
up.
Many investors expect a boom in mainland tourists following a
visit to the self-ruled island by the mainland's top envoy Chen
Yunlin next week, analysts said.
Chen is expected to visit Taiwan for his first time from Nov.
3-7 to discuss new direct flights and food safety. [ID:nTP378000]
Many of the island's export-reliant technology shares also
clawed back from early losses to record gains.
Tech bellwether TSMC <2330.TW>, the world's top contract
chip maker, was up 3.66 percent, reversing some of its losses
recorded after four consecutive days of negative trade.
Downstream tech companies also shrugged off earlier fears of
a bleak outlook ahead of the critical year-end holiday season.
Hon Hai <2317.TW>, Taiwan's top electronic parts maker, saw
its share price swing 10 percent during the day to close 3.27
percent higher.
PC makers Acer <2353.TW> and Asustek <2357.TW>, both of which
had lost more than 6 percent in morning trading, also reversed
course to end the session up about 1 percent.
The broader electronics sub-index <.TELI> and semiconductor
sub-index <.TSII> ended up 1.39 percent and 2.69 percent,
respectively.
Taishin Financial <2887.TW> and Shin Kong Financial <2888.TW>
rose by the daily maximum limit, helping the banking and
insurance sub-index <.TFNI> pare earlier losses to close 0.41
percent lower.
"Taishin and Shin Kong climbed because their prices have
fallen a lot," said Nora Hou of Deutsche Securities. "They are
both trading at valuations below their industry average, which is
possibly why investors are buying into them."
"I would however not recommend buying these shares now
because the market would continue to be volatile," she said.

TWD 27 Oct

16:56 27Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dollar at near 3-year low on stocks, fund outflows

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar hit its lowest level in nearly three years as foreign investors dumped stocks amid a global selloff triggered by the financial crisis, but central bank intervention and purchases by exporters helped cushion losses.
The currency fell as low as T$33.519 to the U.S. dollar in early trade on Monday, but pared some losses to end at T$33.497, its weakest finish since Dec. 13, 2005. It ended the previous session at T$33.412.
"Foreign investors were actively pulling out as the stock market fell," said a dealer at a local bank.
Taiwan stocks <.TWII> tumbled 4.65 percent to a fresh five-year closing low on Monday, after the government ended a rule that halved the daily downside limit, playing catch-up with last week's losses in other global markets.
Foreign institutions sold Taiwan stocks in an eighth session on Monday, unloading a net T$6.6 billion ($197 million), and have been actively selling T$441 billion so far since June.
Oil companies also bought U.S. dollars, said another dealer in Taipei. Those companies need U.S. dollars for foreign purchases of goods such as crude oil.
But the central bank stepped in to keep the Taiwan dollar from falling too much, dealers said.
"Trading volume was small today. That implied investors were less willing to enter the market because of central bank intervention," the first dealer said.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc was soft at $899 million, lower than $1.113 billion the previous session.
The Taiwan dollar also recouped some losses as exporters bought the local currency near the end of the month for cash needs at home, the dealer said.
Since hitting a 10-1/2-year high in late March when investors bet that the economy would improve after cross-Strait relations thawed, the Taiwan dollar has lost 12 percent, mainly due to foreign investors pulling out.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar weakened to T$33.515 to the U.S. dollar from Friday's close of T$33.462.
(Reporting by Gina Chang and Lin Miao-jung; Editing by Jan Dahinten)
((chyenyee.lee@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters Messaging: chyenyee.lee.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Monday, 27 October 2008 16:56:05RTRS [nTP109110] {EN}ENDS

TWN stocks 27 Oct

14:28 27Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks down as tech, financial issues dive

* Stocks at fresh 5-yr low as rule halving fall limit ends
* Tech issues hit by demand fears
* China Airlines climbs as oil prices slip

(Adds details, quotes)
TAIPEI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks tumbled 4.65 percent
to a fresh five-year closing low on Monday, after the government
ended a rule that halved the daily downside limit, playing
catch-up with last week's losses in other global markets.
A bleak outlook for technology demand drove investors away
from big exporters, including TSMC <2330.TW>. The main TAIEX
share index <.TWII> closed 212.75 points lower at 4,366.87,
paring earlier losses of over 6 percent at the opening bell.
Turnover was light at T$35.865 billion ($1.07 billion), but
higher than Friday's T$25.7 billion. Investors cautiously awaited
more quarterly earnings from major technology companies.
"I think we are looking at a bottom of about 4,100 by the end
of this week, which is about right when you look at the kind of
falls that we have seen in other markets," said Kevin Yang,
president of Paradigm Asset Managment.
Taiwan's government, which had come under fierce criticism
for halving the downside limit, announced on Sunday it would
resume the 7-percent downward cap on individual stocks to boost
market liquidity [ID: nTP344530].
Some analysts also expect the government's National
Development Fund to enter the market, shoring up prices in a bid
to boost investor confidence.
"TSMC would obviously be one of their targets. We're seeing
valuations that are extremely low for the company, at levels that
are historically not seen," said Rick Hsu at Nomura Securities.
Nonetheless, the tech heavyweight, the world's top contract
chip maker, slid 3.65 percent. The company is set to release its
third-quarter earnings on Thursday.
All of the TAIEX's main sub-indexes that measure performance
by industry declined, with many of the island's blue chips
joining in the freefall.
Taiwan's top electronic parts maker Hon Hai <2317.TW> fell by
its daily maximum limit less than hour into trading and stayed
there for the rest of the trading day. The stock closed at a
41-month low on Monday.
This is the sixth consecutive day it has gone limit down and
is ahead of its third-quarter results announcement, which it must
release by the end of the week.
Fears of slowing consumer demand for products sold by
downstream tech companies heading into the critical holiday
season also caused investors to flee that sector.
PC makers Acer <2353.TW> and Asustek <2357.TW>, and
smartphone maker and vendor HTC Corp <2498.TW> were all limit
down at the close of the day's session.
The Taiwan dollar fell to its lowest level in nearly
three years on Monday amid weak investor sentiment, hitting an
intraday low of T$33.519 to the U.S. dollar as investors staked
out safer havens such as the U.S. dollar.

HOT STOCKS
-- Financial shares also slid, with Cathay Financial
<2882.TW> and Fubon Financial <2881.TW> both going limit down
about two hours after the opening bell. The two shares remained
there until the market closed.
"We will probably have to wait for some guidance from their
Q3 results before there is any significant change in direction
for these shares," Celia Wu of Yuanta Securities said.

-- Bucking the trend was China Airlines <2610.TW>, which
closed up 5.85 percent as an OPEC production cut failed to pull
up oil prices.
"China Airlines hit a low on Oct. 13 and its share price has
been rising since then. It looks like foreign investors are
pushing up the share price there," said Nigel Lee of the National
Investment Trust.
--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day -4.65 percent
Close on day 4,366.87
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,301.33
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on [ID:nTP170358]
(Reporting by Kelvin Soh, Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)
((kelvin.soh@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging:kelvin.soh.reuters.com@reuters.net))
ASIA-PACIFIC STOCK MARKETS:
Pan-Asia......[STXNEWS/AS] Japan........[.T] S.Korea....[.KS]
S.E. Asia............[.SO] Hong Kong...[.HK] Taiwan.....[.TW]
Australia/NZ.........[.AX] India.......[.BO] China......[.SS]
OTHER MARKETS:
Wall Street...........[.N] Gold.........[GOL/] Currency..[FRX/]
Eurostocks...........[.EU] Oil...........[O/R] JP bonds...[JP/]
ADR Report..........[ADR/] LME metals..[MET/L] US bonds...[US/]
Stocks News US...[STXNEWS/US] Stocks News Europe...[STXNEWS/EU]
DIARIES & DATA:
IPO diary & data Asia earnings diary [ASIA/EQTY]
U.S. earnings diary [RESF/US] European diary [WEU/EQTY]
Taiwan diary [TW/DIARY] Wall Street Week Ahead [.N/O]
Eurostocks Week Ahead [.EU/O] World forecasts
TOP NEWS:
For top Asian company news, double click on: [nTOPEQA]
U.S. company news [TOP/EQU] European company news [TOP/EQE]
Forex news [TOP/FRX] Global Economy news [TOP/MACRO]
Technology news [TOP/TECH] Telecoms news [TOP/TELCO]
Media news [TOP/MEDIA] Banking news [TOP/FIN]
Politics/General news [TOP/G] Asia Macro data
A multimedia version of Reuters Top News is available at:
http://topnews.session.rservices.com
LIVE PRICES & DATA:
World Stocks <0#.INDEX> Currency rates
Dow Jones/NASDAQ <.DJI> <.IXIC> Nikkei <.N225>
FTSE 100 <.FTSE> Debt <0#USBMK=>
Taiwan dollar LME price overview
TAIWAN MARKET:
Taiwan equity mkt TAIEX <.TWII><.TV.TW>
Other indices <0#.INX.TW> TAISDAQ <.TWOII><.TV.TWO>
TAIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#TX:> MSCI Taiwan index <.MSTW>
SIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#STW:> FTSE TW50 index <.FTSETW50>
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN STOCKS

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [STX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [.TW] [.TWII] [.MSTW]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:
<.TWII> <.MSTW>

Monday, 27 October 2008 14:28:04RTRS [nTP126402] {EN}ENDS

TW Stock 24 Oct

14:13 24Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks hit new 5-yr low as exporters slide

* Taiwan stocks slide after dismal export order numbers
* Turnover lowest since at least 2000
* Pro-independence rally could affect market next week

(Adds details, analysts' quotes)
By Kelvin Soh
TAIPEI, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed down 3.19
percent at a fresh five-year low on Friday, as investors took
dismal export order numbers as an excuse to further dump big tech
exporters such as AU Optronics.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> closed 150.89 points lower
at 4,579.62 in a trading day that also saw another record in a
new intraday low for this year.
Turnover stood at T$25.7 billion ($770 million), a
near-eight-year low.
Investors, in an attempt to play catch-up with other Asian
markets that saw more drastic falls this week, dumped shares
across all major industries, dragging into negative territory all
of the TAIEX's sub-indexes.
"Stocks are supposed to reflect the fundamentals, true value
of a company. The government shouldn't try to prop up the market,
their job is to try to improve the economy, not the stock
market," said Michael On, managing director of Beyond Asset
Management.
Selling was exacerbated by poorer-than-expected export order
numbers released on Thursday, hitting many of the island's
heavily export-reliant tech companies such as top global contact
chip maker TSMC <2330.TW> and electronics part maker Hon Hai
<2317.TW>.
TSMC and Hon Hai both went 3.5 percent limit down.
AU Optronics <2409.TW>, the world's No.3 LCD maker, also fell
by its daily maximum limit after announcing poor third-quarter
results and a weak fourth-quarter outlook. [ID:nTP45804]
PC makers Acer <2353.TW> and Asustek <2357.TW> were not
spared. Bot went limit down less than an hour after trading began
and remained there for the rest of the session.
"It's a vicious cycle," said Kevin Chang, head of regional
tech strategy at Yuanta Securities. "Investors put their shares
up a few days earlier but are unable to sell, dragging the whole
process."
A large pro-independence rally on Saturday could also have an
effect on investor confidence next week, but the fallout should
be limited, analysts said.
"The Taiwan stock market is sensitive to politics, but in
today's environment, I think the one large overriding factor is
still the health of the global economy," said Alex Huang,
vice-president at Mega International Securities.
China regards self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and
has vowed to bring the island back under mainland rule, by force
if necessary.
The recent weakening of the Taiwan dollar could also be a
factor in dragging shares deeper into negative territory as
investors flee to safe havens such as the U.S. dollar, analysts
said.
"Of course the weakening of the currency is bad for shares.
It means that people are taking money out of Taiwan and putting
it into buying U.S. currency," said Huang.

--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day -3.19 percent
Close on day 4,579.62
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,579.62
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on [ID:nTP170358]
(Reporting by Kelvin Soh; Editing by Nick Macfie)
((kelvin.soh@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging:kelvin.soh.reuters.com@reuters.net))
ASIA-PACIFIC STOCK MARKETS:
Pan-Asia......[STXNEWS/AS] Japan........[.T] S.Korea....[.KS]
S.E. Asia............[.SO] Hong Kong...[.HK] Taiwan.....[.TW]
Australia/NZ.........[.AX] India.......[.BO] China......[.SS]
OTHER MARKETS:
Wall Street...........[.N] Gold.........[GOL/] Currency..[FRX/]
Eurostocks...........[.EU] Oil...........[O/R] JP bonds...[JP/]
ADR Report..........[ADR/] LME metals..[MET/L] US bonds...[US/]
Stocks News US...[STXNEWS/US] Stocks News Europe...[STXNEWS/EU]
DIARIES & DATA:
IPO diary & data Asia earnings diary [ASIA/EQTY]
U.S. earnings diary [RESF/US] European diary [WEU/EQTY]
Taiwan diary [TW/DIARY] Wall Street Week Ahead [.N/O]
Eurostocks Week Ahead [.EU/O] World forecasts
TOP NEWS:
For top Asian company news, double click on: [nTOPEQA]
U.S. company news [TOP/EQU] European company news [TOP/EQE]
Forex news [TOP/FRX] Global Economy news [TOP/MACRO]
Technology news [TOP/TECH] Telecoms news [TOP/TELCO]
Media news [TOP/MEDIA] Banking news [TOP/FIN]
Politics/General news [TOP/G] Asia Macro data
A multimedia version of Reuters Top News is available at:
http://topnews.session.rservices.com
LIVE PRICES & DATA:
World Stocks <0#.INDEX> Currency rates
Dow Jones/NASDAQ <.DJI> <.IXIC> Nikkei <.N225>
FTSE 100 <.FTSE> Debt <0#USBMK=>
Taiwan dollar LME price overview
TAIWAN MARKET:
Taiwan equity mkt TAIEX <.TWII><.TV.TW>
Other indices <0#.INX.TW> TAISDAQ <.TWOII><.TV.TWO>
TAIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#TX:> MSCI Taiwan index <.MSTW>
SIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#STW:> FTSE TW50 index <.FTSETW50>
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN STOCKS

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [STX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [.TW] [.TWII] [.MSTW]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:
<.TWII> <.MSTW>

Friday, 24 October 2008 14:13:55RTRS [nTP280508] {EN}ENDS

TWD 23 oct

17:04 23Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dlr hits 17-month low on stocks, US dlr buying

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar fell on Thursday to a 17-month closing low, as domestic stocks slid and investors bought U.S. dollars, despite central bank intervention and exporter purchases of the local currency.
The Taiwan dollar dipped as low as T$33.408 against the U.S. dollar during intra-day trade but recouped some losses to close at T$33.296, its lowest finish since May 24, 2007. The Taiwan dollar ended at T$32.990 a day earlier.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc was active at $1.613 billion, rising from Wednesday's $1.126 billion
"The Taiwan dollar tracked losses in the stock market," said a dealer at a local bank. "Foreign banks were buying the U.S. dollar during trading."
Taiwan stocks closed down 2.72 percent on Thursday at a fresh five-year closing low, with investors offloading shares across the board a day after the government said it would lower the 2009 economic growth forecast.
Foreign institutions sold Taiwan stocks for a sixth session, unloading T$428 million ($12.9 million) on Thursday. Foreign investors have sold about T$433 billion so far since June.
However, central bank intervention during late trading helped limit the Taiwan dollar's fall.
"How low the local currency will fall depends on the central bank," the dealer said.
As most other Asian currencies fall, the central bank is unlikely to let the Taiwan dollar buck that trend, another dealer in Taipei said.
"The central bank will keep the Taiwan dollar weak to help exports," he said.
Exporters also bought the Taiwan dollar throughout the day, giving the local currency a boost, the first dealer said.
Exporters usually trade when the Taiwan dollar is weak so they can exchange their U.S. dollar earnings to more of the local currency. They need local currency for cash needs at home.
In the non-deliverable forwards market, six-month NDFs narrowed to -0.080/-0.030 from -0.250/-0.200 in the previous session, meaning investors believe the Taiwan dollar will likely firm by a smaller degree in half a year.
The Taiwan dollar has fallen 11 percent since rallying to a 10-1/2-year high in late March, mainly due to fund outflows.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar weakened to T$33.320 to the U.S. dollar from the previous close of T$32.990.
(Reporting by Gina Chang and Rachel Lee)
((miaojung.lin@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters Messaging: miaojung.lin.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Thursday, 23 October 2008 17:04:52RTRS [nTP6876] {EN}ENDS

TW Stock 23 Oct

14:39 23Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks hit 5-yr low on bleak econ outlook

* Taiwan stocks fall as govt says to cut 2009 growth target
* Thinnest turnover in four years
* Main index at fresh 5-yr low

(Adds quotes, details)
By Kelvin Soh and Gina Chang
TAIPEI, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed down 2.72
percent on Thursday at a fresh five-year closing low, with
investors offloading shares across the board a day after the
government said it would lower the 2009 economic growth forecast.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> closed 132.08 points lower
at 4,730.51 after touching its lowest point since June 2003.
Turnover shrank to T$25.727 billion ($770 million), the
lowest at least since August 2004, exchange data showed.
The market was prevented from matching the more drastic falls
seen on Wall Street's major indexes overnight and on other Asian
markets due to a temporary rule that halves the down limit of
individual stocks to 3.5 percent. The government has said the
measure will end this Friday.
"Because of the trading limit and the more drastic falls
we've seen in other Asian markets, unless there's a huge
overnight jump on Wall Street, Taiwan stocks should continue
their fall tomorrow," said Alex Huang of Mega International
Securities.
Many of the island's blue chips were badly hit. Hon Hai
<2317.TW>, Taiwan's top electronic parts maker, went limit-down
for a fourth consecutive day ahead of its third-quarter earnings
results, which it must release by the end of the month.
Fears of slowing consumer demand for products sold by Hon
Hai's clients heading into the holiday shopping season also drove
investors away from the company.
Other technology shares that dived included smartphone maker
HTC Corp <2498.TW>, PC makers Acer <2353.TW> and Asustek
<2357.TW>, and contract notebook maker Compal Electronics
<2324.TW>, all fell by their 3.5 percent daily limit.
Tech bellwether TSMC <2330.TW> also joined in the freefall to
close limit down despite Japanese media reports that Renesas
Technology Corp would outsource some of its chip production to
them. [ID:nT25388]
Local newspaper reports that Quanta Computer <2382.TW> would
be the contract manufacturer for Apple's new low-cost
mini notebook computer also failed to prop up the company's
shares. Quanta, the biggest contract manufacturer of notebook
PCs, also closed lower by its daily maximum limit.
"While this is good news for the company, it won't have a big
effect on the bottom line because of how big the company is,"
said Vincent Chen, head of downstream tech at Yuanta Core
Pacifici Securities.
Financial shares were also affected by the market's fall.
Shin Kong Financial <2888.TW>, which had said a day earlier that
it would be receiving T$8 billion from Japan's Dai-ichi Life
Insurance, reversed the previous day's gains to end limit down.
Fubon Financial <2881.TW> and Cathay Financial <2882.TW>
closed limit down. Taishin Financial <2887.TW> lost 2.25 percent.
All of the TAIEX's sub-indexes that measure performance by
industries fell, with the electronics sub-index <.TELI> losing
2.84 percent. The semiconductor <.TSII> and the banking and
insurance sub-indexes <.TFNI> both fell more than 3 percent.

--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day -2.72 percent
Close on day 4,730.51
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,706.13
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on [ID:nTP170358]
(Editing by Keiron Henderson)
((kelvin.soh@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging:kelvin.soh.reuters.com@reuters.net))
ASIA-PACIFIC STOCK MARKETS:
Pan-Asia......[STXNEWS/AS] Japan........[.T] S.Korea....[.KS]
S.E. Asia............[.SO] Hong Kong...[.HK] Taiwan.....[.TW]
Australia/NZ.........[.AX] India.......[.BO] China......[.SS]
OTHER MARKETS:
Wall Street...........[.N] Gold.........[GOL/] Currency..[FRX/]
Eurostocks...........[.EU] Oil...........[O/R] JP bonds...[JP/]
ADR Report..........[ADR/] LME metals..[MET/L] US bonds...[US/]
Stocks News US...[STXNEWS/US] Stocks News Europe...[STXNEWS/EU]
DIARIES & DATA:
IPO diary & data Asia earnings diary [ASIA/EQTY]
U.S. earnings diary [RESF/US] European diary [WEU/EQTY]
Taiwan diary [TW/DIARY] Wall Street Week Ahead [.N/O]
Eurostocks Week Ahead [.EU/O] World forecasts
TOP NEWS:
For top Asian company news, double click on: [nTOPEQA]
U.S. company news [TOP/EQU] European company news [TOP/EQE]
Forex news [TOP/FRX] Global Economy news [TOP/MACRO]
Technology news [TOP/TECH] Telecoms news [TOP/TELCO]
Media news [TOP/MEDIA] Banking news [TOP/FIN]
Politics/General news [TOP/G] Asia Macro data
A multimedia version of Reuters Top News is available at:
http://topnews.session.rservices.com
LIVE PRICES & DATA:
World Stocks <0#.INDEX> Currency rates
Dow Jones/NASDAQ <.DJI> <.IXIC> Nikkei <.N225>
FTSE 100 <.FTSE> Debt <0#USBMK=>
Taiwan dollar LME price overview
TAIWAN MARKET:
Taiwan equity mkt TAIEX <.TWII><.TV.TW>
Other indices <0#.INX.TW> TAISDAQ <.TWOII><.TV.TWO>
TAIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#TX:> MSCI Taiwan index <.MSTW>
SIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#STW:> FTSE TW50 index <.FTSETW50>
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN STOCKS

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [STX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [.TW] [.TWII] [.MSTW]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:
<.TWII> <.MSTW>

Thursday, 23 October 2008 14:39:08RTRS [nTP3375] {EN}ENDS

TWD 22Oct

16:50 22Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dlr hits 13-mth low on US dlr rally, banks

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 22 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar fell on Wednesday to a 13-month closing low as the U.S. dollar gained globally and foreign banks bought the U.S. unit, despite exporter purchases of the local currency.
The Taiwan dollar closed at the day's low of T$32.990 to the U.S. dollar, its weakest finish since Sept. 20, 2007. The Taiwan dollar ended at T$32.697 in the previous session.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc was moderate at $1.126 billion, up from $883 million a day earlier.
"Currencies worldwide such as the euro, Asian dollars and sterling all weakened against the U.S. dollar. The Taiwan dollar's fall was relatively small compared with other currencies' losses," said a dealer at a local bank.
However, exporters bought the U.S. dollar during the session, which helped limit the local currency's drop, the dealer said.
Exporters prefer a weaker Taiwan dollar so they can convert their U.S. dollar earnings to more of the Taiwan dollar for cash needs at home.
"The central bank also intervened during trade, but wasn't active," said the dealer.
The U.S. dollar jumped to a 21-month high against a basket of currencies on Wednesday as investors bet that interest rates outside the United States will be cut sharply to try to bolster global growth. [ID:nT312299]
Foreign banks also bought a lot of U.S. dollars, pressuring the Taiwan dollar, said another dealer.
In the non-deliverable forwards market, six-month NDFs narrowed to -0.250/-0.200 from -0.325/-0.275, indicating that investors saw the Taiwan dollar strengthening by a lesser degree in half a year.
The Taiwan dollar has fallen 10 percent since rallying to a 10-1/2-year high in late March on the prospect of better cross-Strait relations under China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar weakened to T$32.990 to the U.S. dollar from the previous close of T$32.715.
(Reporting by Gina Chang and Yvette Chen; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)
((miaojung.lin@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters Messaging: miaojung.lin.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Wednesday, 22 October 2008 16:50:11RTRS [nTP341342] {EN}ENDS

TW Stock 22 Oct

14:27 22Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks hit 5-year low, demand fears slam tech stocks

* Taiwan stocks close down on tech stocks
* HTC down after Apple reports strong numbers
* Shin Kong up on news of fresh cash

(Adds details and analyst's quotes)
TAIPEI, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed 1.6 percent
lower on Wednesday at levels not seen since June 2003 as
investors dumped tech heavyweights such as Hon Hai ahead of
third-quarter earnings results next week.
The main TAIEX share index <.TWII> fell 80.13 to close at
4,862.59 points, dragged down by the broader electronics <.TELI>
and banking and insurance sub-indexes <.TFNI> which lost 1.89
percent and 1.74 percent, respectively.
Hon Hai <2317.TW>, Taiwan's top electronic parts maker and
the day's most active share by turnover, fell by its maximum
limit for a third consecutive day on fears of slowing consumer
demand heading into the crucial holiday shopping season.
The stock ended 3.5 percent lower.
"Hon Hai is one of Taiwan's better-known tech stocks. If we
look at it solely from this angle, it is obvious that it's
because some of the larger investors have become more
conservative on tech and when they pull out their money,
obviously the price will fall," said Vincent Chen, head of
downstream tech at Yuanta Securities.
Smartphone maker HTC Corp <2498.TW> also saw its shares go
limit-down, shedding 3.5 percent after a key competitor in the
smartphone business, Apple Inc , reported
stronger-than-expected quarterly results, stoking fears of
increased competition.
Shares of Powerchip Semiconductor Corp <5346.TWO>, Taiwan's
top DRAM chip maker, also went limit-down a day, losing 3.4
percent, after the company posted a record quarterly loss that
was worse than forecast. [ID:nTP360384]
The day's bright spot was Shin Kong Financial <2888.TW>,
which closed up 4.11 percent, paring gains after having gone
limit-up early in the trading session.
Investors had been buoyed by news that the company will raise
T$8 billion ($245 million) from Japan's Dai-ichi Life Insurance.
Other financial holding companies such as Cathay Financial
<2882.TW> and Fubon Financial <2881.TW>, riding on the back of
Shin Kong's good news, also rose in early trading but later fell
back into negative territory.
Chunghwa Telecom <2412.TW>, Taiwan's largest
telecommunications provider, also bucked the trend to rise 3.02
percent as investors bought back into the company after having
seen the price fall to a one-year low on Monday.
Top PC makers Acer <2353.TW> and Asustek <2357.TW> both gave
up early gains to close 3.47 percent and 0.95 percent lower
respectively despite Intel's assertion that the consumer notebook
PC market will be in good shape next year. [ID:nTP342239]
Turnover was soft at T$47.04 billion ($1.44 billion) as
investors stayed away from the volatile market, but was
consistent with other October down days.
--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day -1.62 percent
Close on day 4,862.59
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,805.68
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on ID:nTP170358
(US$1=T$32.9)
(Reporting by Kelvin Soh, Editing by Kim Coghill)
(Editing by Kim Coghill)
((kelvin.soh@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging:kelvin.soh.reuters.com@reuters.net))
ASIA-PACIFIC STOCK MARKETS:
Pan-Asia...... STXNEWS/AS Japan........ .T] S.Korea.... .KS]
S.E. Asia............ .SO] Hong Kong... .HK] Taiwan..... .TW]
Australia/NZ......... .AX] India....... .BO] China...... .SS]
OTHER MARKETS:
Wall Street........... .N] Gold......... GOL/] Currency.. FRX/]
Eurostocks........... .EU] Oil........... O/R] JP bonds... JP/]
ADR Report.......... ADR/] LME metals.. MET/L] US bonds... US/]
Stocks News US... STXNEWS/US Stocks News Europe... STXNEWS/EU
DIARIES & DATA:
IPO diary & data TW/IPOMENU Asia earnings diary ASIA/EQTY
U.S. earnings diary RESF/US] European diary WEU/EQTY
Taiwan diary TW/DIARY Wall Street Week Ahead .N/O]
Eurostocks Week Ahead .EU/O] World forecasts EQUITYPOLL1
TOP NEWS:
For top Asian company news, double click on: nTOPEQA]
U.S. company news TOP/EQU] European company news TOP/EQE]
Forex news TOP/FRX] Global Economy news TOP/MACRO
Technology news TOP/TECH Telecoms news TOP/TELCO
Media news TOP/MEDIA Banking news TOP/FIN]
Politics/General news TOP/G] Asia Macro data ASIATODAY
A multimedia version of Reuters Top News is available at:
http://topnews.session.rservices.com
LIVE PRICES & DATA:
World Stocks 0#.INDEX Currency rates EFX=> Dow Jones/NASDAQ .DJI> <.IXIC Nikkei .N225>
FTSE 100 .FTSE> Debt 0#USBMK= EURIBOR>
Taiwan dollar TWD=TP> LME price overview RING=>
TAIWAN MARKET:
Taiwan equity mkt TW/MENU> TAIEX .TWII><.TV.TW
Other indices 0#.INX.TW TAISDAQ .TWOII><.TV.TWO
TAIMEX Taiwan index futures 0#TX:> MSCI Taiwan index .MSTW>
SIMEX Taiwan index futures 0#STW:> FTSE TW50 index .FTSETW50

Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN STOCKS

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [STX] [EMRG] [HDWR] [FIN] [TEL] [LEN] [RTRS]

Wednesday, 22 October 2008 14:27:24RTRS [nS22113324] {EN}ENDS

TWD 21 Oct

17:32 21Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dollar falls as foreign investors sell stocks

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar fell to a one-year closing low on Tuesday, as foreign investors continued selling domestic stocks and as the U.S. dollar rose broadly.
Taiwan's benchmark stock index <.TWII> closed 0.22 percent higher, buoyed by Wall Street's overnight rally, but foreign institutions sold a net T$6 billion ($183 million) worth of shares and that weighed on the local currency, traders said.
"Although the stock market rose today, the 3.5 percent downside limit prompted investors to sell stocks," said a dealer at a local bank.
The financial regulator has extended through the current trading week a temporary measure limiting daily declines for individual stocks to 3.5 percent, half the usual 7 percent limit.
The Taiwan dollar closed at T$32.697 against the U.S. dollar, its lowest finish since Sept. 27, 2007, down from Monday's closing price of T$32.580.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc. was light at $883 million, but up from $556 million a day earlier.
The Taiwan dollar was also pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar, which gained on funding demand from banks. Some foreign banks in Taiwan were also seen buying U.S. dollars, another dealer at a local bank said.
In the non-deliverable forwards market, the six-month NDFs narrowed to -0.325/-0.275 from -0.440/-0.390 in the previous session, meaning investors saw the Taiwan dollar gaining less over the next six months.
Since rallying to a 10-1/2-year high in late March on expectations of improving relations with China, the Taiwan dollar has lost about 9 percent, mainly due to fund outflows.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar weakened to T$32.715 to the U.S. dollar from the previous close of T$32.580.
(Reporting by Gina Chang and Lin Miao-jung; Editing by Kazunori Takada)
((ralph.jennings@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging: ralph.jennings.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 17:32:46RTRS [nTP346363] {EN}ENDS

TWD 21 Oct

17:32 21Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dollar falls as foreign investors sell stocks

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar fell to a one-year closing low on Tuesday, as foreign investors continued selling domestic stocks and as the U.S. dollar rose broadly.
Taiwan's benchmark stock index <.TWII> closed 0.22 percent higher, buoyed by Wall Street's overnight rally, but foreign institutions sold a net T$6 billion ($183 million) worth of shares and that weighed on the local currency, traders said.
"Although the stock market rose today, the 3.5 percent downside limit prompted investors to sell stocks," said a dealer at a local bank.
The financial regulator has extended through the current trading week a temporary measure limiting daily declines for individual stocks to 3.5 percent, half the usual 7 percent limit.
The Taiwan dollar closed at T$32.697 against the U.S. dollar, its lowest finish since Sept. 27, 2007, down from Monday's closing price of T$32.580.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc. was light at $883 million, but up from $556 million a day earlier.
The Taiwan dollar was also pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar, which gained on funding demand from banks. Some foreign banks in Taiwan were also seen buying U.S. dollars, another dealer at a local bank said.
In the non-deliverable forwards market, the six-month NDFs narrowed to -0.325/-0.275 from -0.440/-0.390 in the previous session, meaning investors saw the Taiwan dollar gaining less over the next six months.
Since rallying to a 10-1/2-year high in late March on expectations of improving relations with China, the Taiwan dollar has lost about 9 percent, mainly due to fund outflows.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar weakened to T$32.715 to the U.S. dollar from the previous close of T$32.580.
(Reporting by Gina Chang and Lin Miao-jung; Editing by Kazunori Takada)
((ralph.jennings@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters
Messaging: ralph.jennings.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 17:32:46RTRS [nTP346363] {EN}ENDS

TW Stock 20 Oct

14:59 20Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan stocks hits over 5-yr low, but Fubon Fin gains

* Market hits over 5-year low despite Asian rally
* Fubon Fin limit-up after buying ING Taiwan life unit
* Electronics shares fall before Q3 earnings results

(Adds details)
TAIPEI, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks fell 0.58 percent on
Monday to their lowest close in more than five years as investors
dumped tech heavyweights like TSMC <2330.TW> to play catch-up
with other Asian markets that had seen more dramatic falls.
Taiwan's main TAIEX share index <.TWII> had dropped more than
3 percent at one point before government-related funds kicked in
to buy financial shares. The TAIEX closed down 28.56 points at
4,931.84.
It bucked the trend in a day where most other Asian markets
rallied on the back of attractive valuations.
One of the few bright spots was Fubon Financial <2881.TW>,
which went limit up after it announced that it would buy Dutch
financial group ING's Taiwan life insurance unit
[nHKG273708].
However, Fubon shares have fallen 15.5 percent since the
beginning of this month.
Turnover was soft at T$41.03 billion ($1.26 billion), but
higher than Thursday's T$28.6 billion, as investors stayed away
ahead of a slew of third-quarter earnings from Taiwan companies.
"The recently installed measures haven't done much to restore
confidence in investors and more will probably need to be done to
attract investors to return to the market," said Michael On,
managing director of Beyond Asset Management.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) , the
market's most active stocks by both turnover and volume, fell
1.67 percent. TSMC is widely expected to report weaker
third-quarter earnings next week amid a slow global economy.
"The rebound in today's market is probably due to government
intervention when they started buying shares in financial
companies, driving the index up," On said.
The stock market, which is now at its lowest level since June
2003, had been unable to fall then due to the 3.5 percent down
limit imposed by the government, a move that has been extended
into the coming week [ID:nTP266416].
The electronics index <.TELI> was down 0.32 percent, while
the semiconductor index <.TSII> closed down 0.22 percent.
The broader financial sub-index fell 0.71 percent.

--------------------TAIEX IN PERSPECTIVE--------------------
Move on day -0.58 percent
Close on day 4,931.84
2008 intraday high 9,309.95
2008 intraday low 4,805.68
All time high 12,682.41 12 FEB 1990
------------------------------------------------------------
For a table of foreign trading in Taiwan stocks, double-click
on [ID:nTP170358]
(US$1=T$32.6)
((Reporting by Kelvin Soh; +886 2 2508-0815))
ASIA-PACIFIC STOCK MARKETS:
Pan-Asia......[STXNEWS/AS] Japan........[.T] S.Korea....[.KS]
S.E. Asia............[.SO] Hong Kong...[.HK] Taiwan.....[.TW]
Australia/NZ.........[.AX] India.......[.BO] China......[.SS]
OTHER MARKETS:
Wall Street...........[.N] Gold.........[GOL/] Currency..[FRX/]
Eurostocks...........[.EU] Oil...........[O/R] JP bonds...[JP/]
ADR Report..........[ADR/] LME metals..[MET/L] US bonds...[US/]
Stocks News US...[STXNEWS/US] Stocks News Europe...[STXNEWS/EU]
DIARIES & DATA:
IPO diary & data Asia earnings diary [ASIA/EQTY]
U.S. earnings diary [RESF/US] European diary [WEU/EQTY]
Taiwan diary [TW/DIARY] Wall Street Week Ahead [.N/O]
Eurostocks Week Ahead [.EU/O] World forecasts
TOP NEWS:
For top Asian company news, double click on: [nTOPEQA]
U.S. company news [TOP/EQU] European company news [TOP/EQE]
Forex news [TOP/FRX] Global Economy news [TOP/MACRO]
Technology news [TOP/TECH] Telecoms news [TOP/TELCO]
Media news [TOP/MEDIA] Banking news [TOP/FIN]
Politics/General news [TOP/G] Asia Macro data
A multimedia version of Reuters Top News is available at:
http://topnews.session.rservices.com
LIVE PRICES & DATA:
World Stocks <0#.INDEX> Currency rates
Dow Jones/NASDAQ <.DJI> <.IXIC> Nikkei <.N225>
FTSE 100 <.FTSE> Debt <0#USBMK=>
Taiwan dollar LME price overview
TAIWAN MARKET:
Taiwan equity mkt TAIEX <.TWII><.TV.TW>
Other indices <0#.INX.TW> TAISDAQ <.TWOII><.TV.TWO>
TAIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#TX:> MSCI Taiwan index <.MSTW>
SIMEX Taiwan index futures <0#STW:> FTSE TW50 index <.FTSETW50>
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN STOCKS

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[E] [Z] [MF] [PSC] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [EMK] [TW] [ASIA] [STX] [EMRG] [DFIN] [MUL] [MINS] [INS] [BNK] [NL] [INVS] [IN] [FINS] [INSR] [EUROPE] [WEU] [BSVC] [LEN] [RTRS] [.TW] [.TWII] [.MSTW] [2881.TW] [ING.AS]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:
<.TWII> <.MSTW> <2881.TW>

Monday, 20 October 2008 14:59:39RTRS [nTP281114] {EN}ENDS

TWD 20 oct

16:37 20Oct2008 RTRS-Taiwan dollar eases on stocks, sales by oil traders

(Updates to close)
TAIPEI, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The Taiwan dollar eased on Monday due to local stock losses and U.S. currency purchases by oil traders, holding to its lowest level since October last year as investors waited for market-moving news.
The Taiwan dollar closed at T$32.580 to the U.S. dollar, compared to its Friday final price of T$32.550.
Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc. was a thin $556 million, the lowest in three months, compared with $672 million on Friday.
"A lot of investors are just monitoring the market today," a dealer in Taipei said. "The drop in local stocks and some trading by oil firms, that was about it."
Taiwan stocks <.TWII> fell 0.58 percent to their lowest close in more than five years on Monday, as investors dumped tech heavyweights to play catch-up with other Asian markets that had seen more dramatic falls.
Foreign institutions, which would use local currency to buy the island's stocks, sold a net T$5 billion ($153 million) worth of shares on Monday and have been big sellers for the past several months, unloading more than T$422 billion since June.
Currency investors held back on the Taiwan dollar, awaiting news on U.S. stocks in light of the global financial crisis and looking at how much more foreign funds will pull out of Taiwan stocks, dealers said.
Taiwan oil trader purchases of U.S. dollars, which they need for business overseas, also pressured the local currency on Monday, the dealer said.
In the non-deliverable forwards market, six-month NDFs were quoted at -0.440/-0.390, wider than -0.360/-0.310 the previous session, implying investors saw the Taiwan dollar firming by a larger degree in six months.
Since hitting a 10-1/2-year high in late March, the Taiwan dollar has lost about 8 percent, mainly due to fund outflows.
On the smaller Cosmos exchange , the Taiwan dollar closed at T$32.580 to the U.S. dollar, compared to the previous session's final price of T$32.575.
(Reporting by Ralph Jennings and Lin Miao-jung; Editing by Ken Wills)
((ralph.jennings@thomsonreuters.com; +886 2 2508-0815; Reuters Messaging: ralph.jennings.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: MARKETS TAIWAN CURRENCY/

For Related News, Double Click on one of these codes:
[M] [T] [Z] [MF] [RNP] [DNP] [PTD] [PMF] [TW] [ASIA] [FRX] [EMRG] [LEN] [RTRS] [TWD/] [TWD=TP]

For Relevant Price Information, Double Click on one of these codes:

Monday, 20 October 2008 16:37:13RTRS [nTP273322] {EN}ENDS