Taiwan: Stocks hit nearly 2-year highs as TSMC climbs; currency strengthens

[TAIPEI] Taiwan stocks rose to a fresh near two-year high on Tuesday following news the island's export orders grew more than expected, paced by gains in tech exporters including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC).

As of 2:002:002:00 GMT, the main Taiex index rose 0.3 per cent, to 9,944.96 points, after closing at 9,912.97 points in the previous session.

It has rallied about 7 per cent so far this year to its highest in nearly two years, prompted by foreign buying on expectations that Apple Inc's new iPhone would benefit Taiwanese suppliers such as TSMC.

TSMC, the world's biggest contract chip maker, jumped 0.8 per cent.

The electronics subindex rose 0.6 per cent, while the financials subindex lost 0.2 per cent.

The Taiwan dollar firmed NT$0.079 to NT$30.448 per US dollar, making it among the strongest currencies in Asia against the US dollar.

REUTERS