Taiwan: Stocks flat after weak export data

[TAIPEI] Taiwan stocks edged up on Tuesday but the gains could be short-lived after data showed on Monday that the island's exports fell for the 14th straight month in March.

As of 2:37 GMT, the main TAIEX index was up 0.2 per cent at 8,575.79, after closing the previous session at 8,562.59.

The electronics subindex stayed flat, while the financials subindex gained 0.3 per cent.

Taiwan's exports, considered a gauge of global demand for gadgets worldwide, fell more than expected in March, increasing the chances that the economy did not escape a third straight year-on-year contraction in the first quarter.

The Taiwan dollar firmed T$0.042 to T$32.346 per US dollar.

REUTERS