Taiwan: Stocks down on global uncertainties on first day of trade

[TAIPEI] Taiwan stocks fell on Monday in light volusssssssme on the first day of trade in the new year amid caution over geopolitical tensions abroad.

As of 0149 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 2.0 per cent at 8,171.38, after closing up 0.7 per cent on Thursday.

The electronics subindex sank 1.5 per cent, while the financials subindex lost 2.4 per cent.

Taiwan's financial markets were shut on Friday for the New Year holiday. The main index shed 10.4 per cent for all of 2015, its worst annual performance in four years.

A string of economic indicators for Taiwan are due this week that will likely to show depressed consumer prices and relatively weak exports for December. Manufacturing activity rebounded last month as measured by a key PMI indicator issued Monday, but new export orders were little changed.

The Taiwan dollar firmed TW$0.067 to TW$32.999 per US dollar.

REUTERS