TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's stock market surged to a record high Thursday (Sept. 18), closing at 25,769.36 points. The Taiwan Stock Exchange gained 331.11 points as capital flowed into the market throughout the trading session. The index opened 104.92 points higher at 25,543.17 points and gained nearly 200 points by midday.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC, 台積電) led the rally, climbing NT$20 (around US$0.66) to a record NT$1,285 (around US$42.71). MediaTek (聯發科) closed flat at NT$1,510 (around US$50.19). Foxconn (鴻海) gained NT$3 (around US$0.10) to close at NT$215 (around US$7.14), contributing to the market surge.
The Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate cut of 2025, reducing rates by one-quarter point to 4% to 4.25%. The Federal Open Market Committee voted 11-1 for the reduction. Wall Street showed mixed results despite the rate cut, with the Dow Jones rising 260.42 points to 46,018.32 while the Nasdaq fell 72.633 points to 22,261.326 and the S&P 500 dropped 6.41 points to 6,600.35. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.095)