TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's stock market opened lower on Monday (Feb. 10), dropping 56.5 points to 23,421.77. TSMC (台積電), a major player, started the day down NT$5 at NT$1,120, while Hon Hai (鴻海) fell NT$2.5 to NT$175.5, and MediaTek (聯發科) dropped NT$20 to NT$1,505.
TSMC's operations have drawn attention as its Arizona fab begins production. The company will hold its first board meeting in the U.S. on Wednesday and Thursday, Taiwan time. The agenda includes discussing the 2024 fourth-quarter dividend, 2025 first-quarter capital budget, and strategies to address geopolitical challenges.
Market concerns have intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement last Friday, Eastern time, about potential reciprocal tariff measures this week. Analysts predict Taiwan could be among the affected trade partners, making TSMC's U.S. strategy and Arizona plant's progress particularly significant.
The U.S. stock market reacted negatively, with all four major indices closing lower last Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 444.2 points to 44,303.4, a 0.99% drop. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices decreased by 0.95% and 1.36%, respectively, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 1.63%. TSMC's American Depositary Receipts (ADR) fell 2.08%.