Taiwan: Stocks extend fall before April export data

[TAIPEI] Taiwan stocks fell in cautious sentiment on Monday ahead of the release of April export data, which is expected to have contracted for the 15th straight month year on year due to weak global demand.

As of 0139 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 0.1 per cent at 8,136.97 points. On Friday, it ended at 8,146.43 points, a level not seen in nearly three months.

The electronics subindex rose 0.1 per cent, while the financials subindex lost 0.2 per cent.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's top contract chip maker, slipped 0.7 per cent. TSMC is set to post its April sales result on Tuesday.

The Taiwan dollar firmed TW$0.019 to TW$32.393 per US dollar.

REUTERS