Taiwan share prices are expected to extend losses next week as market sentiment has been dampened by worries over soaring international crude oil prices, dealers said Friday. Concerns over Wall Street performances amid fears of a US economic recession are likely to further impact on local market movements by prompting foreign institutional investors to sell, they said.
Market bears could continue to target the bellwether electronic sector, which remains undervalued. For the week to May 23, the weighted index close down 362.68 points or 3.94 percent at 8,834.73 after a 4.61 percent rise a week earlier.
Average daily turnover stood at 151.24 billion Taiwan dollars (4.96 billion US dollar), compared with 147.58 billion dollars a week ago. "Spikes in oil prices have raised inflation fears. Investors are afraid that rising consumer prices will adversely affect economic growth," Concord Securities analyst Allan Lin said.
The government has decided to end a freeze on domestic gasoline prices from June to reflect market reality after international oil prices repeatedly hit record highs. Power prices will also rise from July accordingly. "After heavy losses this week, the stock market has turned technically weak. Further declines are very possible," Lin said.
Capital Securities analyst Chen Yu-yu said foreign investors are expected to stand on the sell side, continuing to unload electronic stocks. "Profitability of the electronic sector remains a concern... Moreover, as the sector is closely correlated with US high tech shares amid Wall Street turbulence, it is wise for investors to shun the sector for now," Chen said.
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