Taiwan stocks closed little changed on Tuesday as investors pocketed profits from tech heavyweights like AU Optronics Corp that had gained ground on growing optimism over demand in the coming months.
The main TAIEX share index was trapped in a tight range before ending up 0.07 percent at 6,169.08 points, following a 0.75 percent advance in the last session.
Turnover was modest at T$65.61 billion ($2.01 billion).
"Despite weak sentiment, we've seen part of foreign funds flowing to markets in Asia, including Taiwan, because they were still worried about the impact on the US economy from high oil prices," said Roger Lin, deputy manager at Pacific Securities.
Foreign investors bought a net T$4.45 billion of Taiwan stocks on Monday, marking a sixth straight day of buying.
The electronics sub-index inched down 0.02 percent, with display screen maker AU falling 0.62 percent to T$48.25 and its smaller rival Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp down 2.12 percent to T$39.30. However, the world's top contract chip maker and a foreign fund darling, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), jumped 1.52 percent to T$53.50.
Investors were also betting on growing demand for electronics products in the annual export boom before the Christmas holiday, giving a boost to manufacturers of consumer gadgets.
For example, Quanta Computer Inc, the world's largest contract maker of laptop computers, gained 1.27 percent to T$55.90 and mobile phone maker BenQ Corp was up 2.12 percent at T$31.25.
But investors continued to sell shares of Taiwan Business Bank after the state-run bank cancelled a board meeting to discuss a share sale last week.
The stock slid 5.45 percent to T$10.40 after slumping the daily 7 percent limit on Monday.
The over-the-counter market's TAISDAQ index fell 0.24 percent to 121.25 and September TAIEX index futures inched 0.02 percent lower to 6,164.
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