TAIPEI: Taiwan stocks fell on Monday on uncertainty over China, the island’s largest export market, after data released over the weekend showed another heavy fall in factory-gate prices and a surprise slump in exports.
Asian shares were on the defensive after new indications of a slowdown in the Chinese economy strained the nerves of markets already unsettled by the prospect of a US interest rate hike in September.
Investors largely shrugged off the effects of Typhoon Soudelor that hit Taiwan over the weekend, which authorities said left seven dead, five missing and over 400 injured.
As of 0137 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 0.2 per cent at 8,427.20, after closing down 0.1 per cent in the previous session.
The electronics subindex sank 0.8 per cent, while the financials subindex gained 0.1 per cent.
