Taiwan stocks ended 0.12 percent lower on Thursday, erasing gains in early trading, with AU Optronics Corp shedding 4.74 percent after posting a worse-than-expected loss last quarter and warning of the worst-ever times for the flat-panel industry. The main TAIEX index fell 8.44 points to 6,970.69, after opening up 0.48 percent. The cement sub-index was the biggest loser, down 2.46 percent. Electronics shares were flat, with Hon Hai falling 1.71 percent.
TSMC however jumped 2.28 percent. Rival UMC rose 0.83 percent after reporting earnings the previous day. Banking shares rose 0.56 percent. The Taiwan dollar was up by T$0.055 to trade at T$30.151. Foreign investors were net sellers on Wednesday, bringing their total selling to T$64.05 billion this month.