Taiwan stocks ended flat on Monday, reversing initial gains as electronics shares slipped ahead of earnings results due this week and as previously high-flying construction shares pulled back. The main TAIEX share index ended down 6.6 points at 8,947.79, after opening up 0.33 percent.
The construction sub-index was one of the biggest losers, down 0.9 percent. Electronics components fell 0.9 and electronics slipped 0.06 percent.
The losses were offset by financial shares, which rose 0.4 percent as investors continued to bet on widening net interest margins at banks. The defensive food sector was the biggest gainer, up 1 percent.
Fund managers gave a positive outlook on the market in the short run as the Taiwan currency strengthened, a signal that more funds were flowing into the shares.