Taiwan stocks edged down 0.26 percent on Monday as investors took profit from recent gains, but property firms rose for a second session amid expectations the central bank could cut interest rates as early as this week. The main TAIEX index slipped 18.15 points to 7,092.58, retreating from the 7 percent surge over the past three sessions.
Among the losing sectors, automobiles and financials both shed about 0.8 percent. Construction was the top winning sector, up 2.2 percent. In a poll of 17 economists, 15 forecast the discount rate will be left on hold at 1.875 percent, while two expect a cut of 12.5 basis points to 1.750 percent.
The Taiwan dollar firmed slightly to trade at T$30.286. Foreign investors were net buyers on Friday, bringing total buying to T$22.834 billion this month.