Taiwan stocks end at 15-year high

Taiwan stocks ended at their highest close in 15 years boosted by record gains in the Nasdaq overnight. The main TAIEX index ended up 1.18 percent to 9,913.28, its highest close since Apr. 12, 2000, when it settled at 9,911.39. The rally extended the 1.9 percent gain made in the prior session, in which the index ended at a high not seen in 7-1/2 years. The financial subindex ended 0.4 percent higher, while the electronics subindex gained 1.7 percent. The semiconductor subindex closed ahead 2.8 percent. The Taiwan dollar was up T$0.197 to stand at T$30.934 to the US dollar.