The Taiwan dollar weakened on Friday on importers and investment trust deals, although exporters selling US dollars and a rise in domestic stocks capped the fall. The Taiwan dollar ended weaker at T$33.050 to the US dollar from the previous close of T$33.041, with two earthquakes on Friday having little impact on the market.
The local currency had opened stronger at T$33.010. Volume on the main Taipei Forex Inc exchange was thin at US $529 million, lower than US $665 million a day earlier. "There were importers and exporters and the amounts were roughly equal on both sides," said a dealer in Taipei. "Other than that, the rest of the players have more or less disappeared." Taiwan's importers usually need US dollars for their overseas purchases, such as raw materials and equipment. Taiwan stocks rose a slight 0.01 percent on Friday.