Taiwan: Stocks steady on caution ahead of trade data

[TAIPEI] Taiwan stocks were largely unchanged in cautious trade on Monday ahead of exports-related data even as the index continued to test the key 9,800 level.

As of 0255 GMT, the main TAIEX index was flat at 9,779.70 points, after briefly hitting a high of 9,817.14.

It closed up 0.2 per cent on Saturday in a special trading session.

The electronics subindex rose 0.3 per cent, while the financials subindex lost 0.2 per cent.

Among big-cap shares, the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC rose 0.26 per cent, while electronics maker Hon Hai Precision was up 0.22 per cent.

Taiwan is due to issue export orders data for January after market close on Monday. Export orders, a leading indicator of actual exports 2-3 months ahead, are expected to rise for the sixth straight month in January, based on a Reuters poll.

January data for industrial output and unemployment is due later this week.

The Taiwan dollar firmed NT$0.001 to NT$30.795 per US dollar.

REUTERS