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Why is the New Taiwan Dollar soaring? The three major driving forces revealed
The New Taiwan Dollar has recently staged a thrilling exchange rate drama. In just two trading days, the USD to TWD exchange rate surged over 9%, a speed of increase unparalleled among Asian currencies. What forces are driving this abnormal surge in the TWD?
The first wave of momentum comes from the reshaping of the global trade landscape. After the US government announced a reciprocal tariff policy, the market anticipated Taiwan, as a key player in the global supply chain, would benefit from concentrated procurement. At the same time, the IMF raised Taiwan's economic growth forecast, and the Taiwan stock market performed brilliantly. These positive news have attracted a rush of foreign capital, directly increasing the upward pressure on the USD to TWD exchange rate.
The second wave of momentum stems from the central bank’s policy dilemma. When the US Treasury explicitly listed "currency intervention" as a key review point, the central bank faced an unprecedented predicament. The central bank’s habitual currency interventions in the past could be accused of currency manipulation, which made the market feel that the central bank was on the defensive in the forex market.

What does the Taiwan Stock Market Index actually represent?
When we talk about the overall performance of the Taiwan stock market, we usually mention the "Taiwan Stock Market Index." The official name of this index is the Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Price Index, abbreviated as the Weighted Index. It is a key indicator that measures the overall trend of Taiwan's stock market.
The Weighted Index includes all common stocks listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, including representative large companies like TSMC and MediaTek. This index acts like a "barometer" for Taiwan's stock market, reflecting the overall health of the market and economic prosperity.
Index Calculation Logic
The market index is not simply calculated by adding up all stock prices; instead, it uses a weighted average method. In simple terms, this means that some stocks have a greater influence on the index.
Imagine a company with two departments: Department A has 30 person-months with an average performance score of 85, and Department B has 70 person-months with an average performance score of 92. When calculating the company's average performance,

In 2024-2025, the gold price increase is approaching a 30-year high, influenced by tariff policies, Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, and global central bank holdings. Market risk aversion sentiment is rising, enhancing the attractiveness of gold. However, retail investors should choose suitable strategies based on their risk tolerance and pay attention to price fluctuations. In the medium to long term, there are still opportunities in the gold market.

The Fibonacci indicator is favored by traders in the foreign exchange market because it is based on the golden ratio found in nature, which can effectively identify price reversal points. Traders use Fibonacci retracement and extension levels to accurately determine support and resistance levels, improve trading success rates, and combine them with other technical indicators to enhance decision-making accuracy.

What is a fund? The first step in fund education
What is a fund? (Securities Investment Fund) is a collective investment vehicle where banks or brokerages pool investors' funds and entrust professional fund managers to manage them centrally, with a fund custodian responsible for asset safekeeping. It is an indirect securities investment method that embodies the characteristics of profit sharing and risk sharing.
Depending on the investment target, funds are mainly divided into five types: money market funds, bond funds, stock funds, index funds, and hybrid funds. Each type has its unique risk and return characteristics, allowing investors to choose flexibly according to their needs.
Fund operation process: How does the flow of funds work?
Fund operation involves three main participants: investors (fund unit holders), fund managers (fund management companies), and banking institutions (fund custodians).
The entire process is: investors pool funds → fund managers develop investment strategies → fund custodians

Want to accurately buy the dip and sell at the top in crypto trading? Learning to read candlestick charts is the first step. Candlestick charts are not only fundamental tools for technical analysis but also a "barometer" for market sentiment. This article will start from zero to help you understand the composition and meaning of candlestick patterns, as well as how to use chart data in practical trading to make smarter decisions.
The Essence of Candlestick Charts: The Complete Story of Four Price Points
Candlesticks, also known as K-lines, visually condense four key data points within a specific time cycle (day, week, month): opening price, closing price, highest price, and lowest price. These four prices reveal not only numerical information but also reflect the strength contest between bulls and bears during that period.
The core of reading K-line charts is understanding their structure. A complete candlestick consists of the real body and shadows:
The real body determines the color of the candlestick:
- If the closing price > opening price, the body is red (bullish), indicating buyers are in control during that period

When you follow financial markets, you often hear news like "Dollar Index weakens" or "USDX hits a new high." But do you really understand what it means for your investment portfolio? The Dollar Index is definitely not just a number; it is actually a barometer of global capital flows, directly affecting the value of stocks, gold, and even your TWD holdings. Today, let's take a deep dive into this influential indicator.
What exactly does the Dollar Index measure?
If you follow the stock market, you're probably familiar with concepts like the "S&P 500" and the "Dow Jones Industrial Average." The Dollar Index (USDX or DXY) follows the same logic — it tracks not a basket of companies, but the relative strength of the US dollar against six major international currencies.
These six currencies are:
- Euro (EUR): the largest component, approximately 57.6%
- Japanese Yen (JPY): 13.6%
- British Pound (GBP):

The New Zealand dollar, officially known as the New Zealand dollar (currency code: NZD), is the official legal tender of New Zealand. Since 1985, New Zealand has adopted a floating exchange rate system, with the Reserve Bank ceasing to publish official exchange rates. The NZD exchange rate is entirely determined by market supply and demand. As one of the top ten most traded currencies globally, the NZD/USD exchange rate plays an important role in the international foreign exchange market.
Current Trend of the New Zealand Dollar: Falling from a High
According to historical data, the NZD/USD exchange rate has experienced a significant decline. From a historical high of 0.88 USD in 2014, the NZD has fallen to above 0.5 USD, with a cumulative depreciation of approximately 32%. This decline reflects the profound impact of changes in the global economic environment on the fundamentals of the NZD.
Why are the NZD and AUD called "commodity currencies"?
Australia and New Zealand are typical export-oriented economies. The main products of both countries include coal, iron

Focusing on the semiconductor supply chain, the logic behind how ETFs make money is very clear.
Want to know how ETFs earn profits? Recently, the Taiwan stock market has provided the most straightforward answer. As global tech giants (Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta) ramp up capital investments, AI business opportunities are igniting the Taiwanese semiconductor industry chain, and ETFs that precisely position themselves in this wave are soaring. In the past three months, all of the top ten performing Taiwan stock ETFs have achieved double-digit gains, with the biggest winner being the fund closely following the memory and IC design sectors.
Taishin Taiwan IC Design Momentum ETF (00947) has surged 21% in the past three months, topping the Taiwan stock ETF performance chart. Why has this fund earned so much? The secret lies in its holdings structure, which is entirely aligned with the hottest industry axes right now—memory and IC design. The top five constituents include Phison (8299), Nanya Technology (2408), and Winbond Electronics (234

What is the meaning of margin? Essential trading knowledge for beginners
In forex trading, when discussing the "meaning of margin," many novice traders feel confused. In simple terms, margin is the funds that traders need to deposit to open and maintain forex trading positions.
Here's a straightforward example: if you want to buy 100,000 USD/JPY, without leverage, you need to pay the full amount. But through the margin mechanism of the forex platform, you only need to pay a part of it (for example, $2,000) to control the entire position. This $2,000 is your margin.
It is important to note that margin is not a trading cost or fee; it is a security deposit. Its purpose is to ensure that traders have enough funds to cover potential trading losses and is also an important risk control measure for the platform.
How does the margin ratio affect your trading?
In discussing the meaning of margin

Xinhwa (5274) once again刷新Taiwan Stock Exchange's single-stock record today, surging to a high of 7,715 yuan during trading, closing at 7,550 yuan, a daily increase of 6.34%, with over 570 contracts traded throughout the day. After two consecutive days of gains, Xinhwa not only firmly remains above all moving averages but also approaches a market capitalization of 290 billion yuan, making it one of the most outstanding winners in Taiwan stocks this year.
This strong rally is not a fleeting phenomenon. A closer look reveals that the driving momentum behind the stock price increase is quite solid—originating from the market's continued optimism about the demand for AI servers and data centers in 2026. Investors are highly confident in the next-generation requirements for remote server management chips (BMC). The company's recent November revenue performance has been excellent, having twice upgraded its Q4 outlook. The order visibility has also extended clearly into the second quarter of next year, providing solid fundamental support for the stock price.
Why can Xinhwa stabilize at high levels? Starting with its moat

The NT dollar to Japanese yen exchange rate has risen to 4.85, and the demand for yen continues to increase. Many people think that currency exchange only needs to go to the bank, but just the difference in fees can cost you thousands more. This article summarizes the four most practical exchange channels in Taiwan, breaking down costs with real market prices to help you accurately grasp the most economical way to exchange currency.
Why is it worth exchanging for Japanese yen? It's not just for travel needs
Besides traveling and shopping abroad, the role of the yen in the financial market is even more worth paying attention to. Japan, as one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies (the other two are the US dollar and Swiss franc), has long-term stable exchange rates. When market risks increase, funds often flow into the yen for hedging—taking the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 as an example, the yen appreciated by 8% within a week, while the stock market fell by 10%, effectively buffering portfolio volatility.
For Taiwanese investors, holding yen not only hedges Taiwan stock market risks but also allows participation in arbitrage mechanisms. The Bank of Japan maintains an ultra-low interest rate (only 0.5%), and many

By the end of 2025, the Japanese Yen against the Taiwan Dollar reached 4.85, hitting a new high for the year. Compared to 4.46 at the beginning of the year, the Yen appreciated by over 8% in just 11 months. Behind this upward trend are factors such as the influx of global safe-haven funds, rising expectations of the Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes, and the continued depreciation pressure on the Taiwan Dollar. Whether for travel abroad or asset allocation, now is a great time to reassess your Yen holdings.
Why did the Yen suddenly become so popular? The dual appeal of safe-haven assets
The Yen plays a role as one of the three major safe-haven currencies in the global financial market (alongside the US Dollar and Swiss Franc), and this is no coincidence. Japan's economic stability, relatively manageable government debt, and geopolitical tensions or market turbulence often lead to capital flowing into the Yen for safety.
When the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted in 2022, the Yen appreciated by 8% within a week, while global stock markets fell by 10% during the same period. This is a perfect illustration of the Yen's safe-haven characteristic. For Taiwanese investors, this means that asset allocation

Last Week's Market Scan
Last week (12/22-12/26), the US Dollar Index declined by 0.67% under pressure, while non-US currencies generally appreciated. Among them, the Australian Dollar performed the strongest with a gain of 1.63%; the Japanese Yen followed closely with a 0.74% increase; the British Pound rose by 0.88%; and the Euro increased by 0.52%. Behind this rally, there is not only the reality of a weakening dollar but also signals of changing expectations regarding major central bank policies.
1. The Logic Behind the Australian Dollar's Lead
The Australian Dollar rose by 1.63% last week, making it the leading non-US currency. This increase not only reflects the overall weakness of the dollar but also signifies a market re-pricing of risk assets.
Market liquidity was relatively weak during the Christmas holiday, but risk appetite improved. In this environment, the Australian Dollar, as a typical risk-sensitive currency, naturally attracted attention. Looking ahead, the Taiwanese Dollar, as an emerging Asian currency, is also expected to follow the upward trend of the Australian Dollar, with both being

Is it cost-effective to exchange yen now? The data reveals the truth
In December 2025, the NT dollar to Japanese yen is approximately 4.85, up 8.7% from 4.46 at the beginning of the year. This means that exchanging yen now is indeed more favorable compared to the start of the year. Compared to the volatility of the HK dollar against the NT dollar, the yen shows a more stable appreciation trend. Market observations indicate that Taiwan's foreign exchange demand in the second half of the year has grown by 25%, mainly driven by a rebound in tourism and increased demand for risk hedging.
But the key question is: what is the best way to exchange without losing out to exchange rate spreads?
The recent hawkish comments from Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo have pushed up expectations of interest rate hikes to 80%, with a projected 0.25 basis point increase to 0.75% at the December 19 meeting (a 30-year high). Japanese government bond yields have hit a 17-year high of 1.93%. The USD/JPY has fallen from a high of 160 at the beginning of the year to around 154.58, and in the short term, it may test 155 again, but medium to long-term forecasts suggest it will stay below 150. This rate hike

In the world of technical analysis, the RSI indicator (Relative Strength Index) is highly regarded by the market for its intuitive and easy-to-use nature. Many investors use it as an important tool to judge entry and exit timing, but few traders truly understand the underlying principles of RSI and master how to respond to divergences and weakening signals. This article will delve into the core mechanisms and practical applications of this classic indicator, helping you to better seize opportunities in complex markets.
The Essence of the Relative Strength Index (RSI)
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a technical tool that reflects the balance of bullish and bearish forces in the market by measuring the magnitude of price increases and decreases. Compared to other indicators, RSI's popularity lies in its simple calculation logic—requiring only basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations, without complex mathematical derivations.
The core function of RSI is to answer a simple yet critical question:

The easiest profit signals in the stock market are hidden within the relationship between price and volume. When stock prices fluctuate, trading volume quietly reveals the true thoughts of market participants. Many investors only look at price increases and decreases but ignore the accompanying changes in trading volume, often falling into traps. Today, we will analyze several typical price-volume relationships to help you capture trading opportunities more accurately.
What is the price-volume relationship?
"The stock price-volume relationship reflects the interaction between stock price and trading volume." In simple terms, when stock prices change, trading volume acts like a "thermometer" for this trend — the larger the trading volume, the higher the market participation; the smaller the volume, the less market interest. By observing this relationship, investors can judge whether the current trend has momentum and predict subsequent movements.
The table below summarizes 5 common price-volume combinations and their market implications, making it easy for you to compare quickly:
| Price-Volume Combination | Specific Performance

When investing in stocks, many novice investors often wonder: after selling stocks, how long does it take for the funds to be available? This seemingly simple question actually involves different settlement systems across various markets. The rules for Taiwan stocks and US stocks differ greatly, directly affecting your capital flow efficiency.
US Stock Settlement System: Evolving from T+3 to T+2
The US stock settlement system has undergone adjustments. Previously, it followed the "T+3" system, meaning you had to wait three business days after a trade to access the funds. In September 2017, the US stock market shortened the settlement cycle to "T+2," meaning you need to wait two business days after selling stocks.
The reason behind this reform is to improve market efficiency. Under the T+2 system, if you sell stocks on Monday, the funds will be available by Wednesday. Although this is an improvement, it still imposes restrictions for investors who want to quickly turn over their capital.
Cash Accounts vs Margin Accounts: US

As the international stock market rally continues to heat up, the Taiwan stock market showed strong momentum immediately after opening today (22nd). The early gains exceeded 300 points, with the highest intraday surge reaching 28,100 points, hitting a recent high. Supported by heavyweight stocks like TSMC and Hon Hai, coupled with widespread capital inflows into core industries such as semiconductors, memory, and silicon photonics, over 24 listed stocks hit the daily limit-up, with active trading and overwhelming bullish sentiment.
Heavyweight stocks provide stable guidance, and industry capital remains active
TSMC (2330) opened higher and continued to rise today, reaching around 1,470 NT dollars in the early trading session, with an increase of nearly 2.8%, playing a stabilizing role for the market. Hon Hai (2317) also showed a moderate upward trend, rising over 1.8% during the session. In contrast, MediaTek (2454) exhibited a red-to-black trend, with a decline of over 1% at one point, reflecting signs of rotation and profit-taking within the electronics sector.
The highlight of capital allocation lies in the full-scale activation of the memory industry.