Taiwan stocks fell on Friday in keeping with nervousness in some overseas markets, but losses were limited as key technology and shipping stocks rose. Some Asian shares were weak on uncertainty over the potential for a strong US nonfarm payrolls number later in day - and with it an elevated chance of a Federal Reserve rate hike soon. As of 0230 GMT, the main TAIEX index fell 0.5 percent to 8,960.75, after closing down 0.8 percent in the previous session.
The electronics subindex sank 0.8 percent, while the financials subindex lost 0.2 percent. But some share gains were coming on back of troubles at rival companies that could bolster business for the Taiwanese listed firms. Shares in Hon Hai Precision were up 1.5 percent. Hon Hai is a major assembler for Apple Inc's popular iPhones, and the latest version of iPhones are expected to launch later this month and compete with smartphones by rival Samsung Electronics Co.
Shares in container shipping firm Evergreen Marine rose 5.3 percent. Its South Korean rival Hanjin Shipping Co was suspended from its membership in a major shipping alliance on Friday with some of its ships seized at Chinese ports or unable to dock at other ports after filing for court receivership earlier this week. The Taiwan dollar firmed T$0.023 to T$31.713 per US dollar.