Taiwan's share market closed higher on Wednesday, led by strength in the Biotech & Medical Care, Chemical/Bio & Medical Care and Chemical sectors. At the close, the Taiwan Weighted index had advanced 0.96%.
The session's top performer on the Taiwan Weighted was Avision Inc (TW:2380), which surged 225.76% - a gain of 14.90 points - to finish at 21.50. Other notable winners included Jinan Acetate Chemical Co Ltd (TW:4763), up 10.00% or 4.35 points to 47.85, and Topco Scientific Co Ltd (TW:5434), which rose 10.00% or 49.00 points to close at 539.00.
On the downside, Primax Electronics Ltd (TW:4915) recorded the largest decline among the main movers, sliding 11.56% or 8.50 points to end at 65.00. Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group Co Ltd (TW:1589) fell 9.92% or 0.61 points to 5.54, while Siward Crystal Technology Co Ltd (TW:2484) lost 9.90% or 7.60 points to close at 69.20.
The report of market breadth contained an unusual note: "Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Taiwan Stock Exchange by 0 to 0." That figure appears as reported and suggests either a data anomaly or incomplete breadth data available at the time of publication.
Several individual-stock milestones were registered in the session. Shares of Avision Inc (TW:2380) moved to five-year highs, up 225.76% or 14.90 to 21.50. Primax Electronics Ltd (TW:4915) closed at 52-week lows after falling 11.56% or 8.50 to 65.00. Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group Co Ltd (TW:1589) declined to what was reported as an all-time low, down 9.92% or 0.61 to 5.54. Topco Scientific Co Ltd (TW:5434) was reported to have reached an all-time high, gaining 10.00% or 49.00 to 539.00.
In commodities trading, crude oil for August delivery was up 0.10% or 0.07 to $69.57 a barrel. Brent crude for September delivery rose 0.12% or 0.09 to $73.04 a barrel. The August Gold Futures contract declined 1.29% or 51.90 to trade at $3,986.60 a troy ounce.
Currency and index moves included USD/TWD rising 0.23% to 31.86, TWD/CNY unchanged at 0.09% to 0.21, and the US Dollar Index Futures up 0.11% at 101.07.
Market takeaway
The Taiwan market's modest advance was driven by large percentage moves in a handful of listed names, particularly within biotech and chemical-related sectors, while a set of other stocks experienced steep declines. Commodity and currency benchmarks moved within relatively narrow ranges during the session.