Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Friday Wall Street ended flat, giving up its early gains after the news about the sinking of a South Korean naval ship raised fears of tension between North and South Korea. Today Asian markets could be helped by the euro-zone bailout for Greece and the news that South Korea has ruled out North Korea involvement in the navy vessel sinking. Friday Asian markets rallied with Japan's Nikkei hit its 18 months closing high. The Nikkei climbed 1.6 per cent due to relief over sovereign-debt problems in Greece. Both Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and China's Shanghai Composite added 1.3 per cent.

Friday Asian stocks received a positive lead from Wall Street. US stocks overnight posted a slim gain, supported by better-than-expected retail sales data and analyst upgrades of a batch of blue-chip companies. Yesterday most Asian markets closed lower on renewed worries about China's policy tightening. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 1.4 per cent, while Shanghai Composite lost 2.4 per cent, with China's banking and property shares dropping sharply. Singapore market was also impacted by China's property bubble concerns, and Straits Times slid 0.5 per cent. Japan's Nikkei 225 was off 1.1 per cent as strong yen hurt exporters.

Most asian markets were higher on hope of a rescue package for Greece yesterday. Japan's Nikkei index ended up 0.3%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 0.7%. Both China's Shanghai Composite and Taiwan's Taiex climbed 1.1%. Japanese market is closed on Thursday for National Foundation Day, while Taiwan market is closed for Pre-Chinese New Year.

Asian investors continued cautious trading on Thursday amid ongoing debt jitters. Most Asian shares reversed to positive territory after some small drops at opening. Yesterday bourses across the region were hit by a series of credit rating downgrade. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.3 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 1.4 per cent, and China's Shanghai Composite was down 1.7 per cent.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd (TSMC) (TPE:2330) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) (NYSE:UMC), world's top two contract chip makers, will be helped by Taiwanese government's plan to allow acquiring rivals in mainland China. Today the Taiwan technology stocks were boosted by the news.

Asian markets opened broadly lower on Tuesday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slumped with a massive 4.4 per cent fall in early trading, while Tokyo stocks were also under pressure, weighed by the tumble on Wall Street and stronger Yen.