藥華藥 to establish production bases in Taiwan and the US; Puerto Rico plant expected to begin operations in 2027
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
藥華藥 is accelerating plans for production bases in Taiwan and the US. Its board approved a US$46 million investment in a Puerto Rico plant, expected to begin operations in 2027. It is also acquiring Canadian drugmaker FORUS Therapeutics for US$36.5 million, combining North American resources to support the global expansion of its new drug Ropeg.
Ukraine’s military Starlink service restricted; Trump denies ordering limits
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
US President Donald Trump denied ordering cuts to Ukraine’s Starshield service, which is provided by SpaceX. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said restrictions were decided by the US military and the president. Ukraine said the service was gradually being restored and that the White House had pressured SpaceX to restore it.
Facts
Original（中央社華盛頓16日綜合外電報導）
Ukraine reported shortly afterward, on the 14th, that its Starshield service had been restricted
Argentina seeks US$10 billion in World Bank investment to boost energy and mining development
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Argentina’s Economy Minister Luis Caputo said the country is in talks with 世界銀行 to bring in US$10 billion for the private sector through the bank’s International Finance Corporation (國際金融公司), focusing on energy, mining and small and medium-sized enterprises, while also discussing artificial intelligence development.
Weather forecast / Typhoon Champi’s track heads straight for Taiwan! Set to become a super typhoon; “nationwide temperatures drop and heavy rain begins from this day,” with the wettest and coolest period revealed
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This year’s 29th typhoon, Champi, has reversed course and is heading straight for Taiwan, and is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon on the 18th. The autumn-tiger weather will bring highs of 36 degrees this weekend, while the northeast monsoon will bring rain and cooler temperatures from next Wednesday. Orchid Island and other areas face a high risk of impact.
Facts
This year’s 29th typhoon, Champi, strengthened into a moderate typhoon early today (17), with its center over waters east of Guam.
How much do you need to save for retirement? Is 10 million enough? NCCU professor reveals a financial-planning blind spot: counting only 30,000 in monthly living expenses could lead to regret
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
NCCU professor Chen Yen-ju reminded the public to include medical and long-term care costs in retirement plans, warning that budgeting only for basic living expenses may leave people short. She recommended assessing finances based on personal health and family medical history, noting that a comfortable retirement may require more than NT$20 million.
Facts
Chen Yen-ju, an executive director of the EMBA program at 國立政治大學, said that when she began planning for retirement at age 45, she had already spent a considerable amount over the past 10 years on dental implants.
Taiwanese have an average of about 7.78 to 8 years of unhealthy life expectancy.
At 50,000 per month, 8 years of long-term care would cost 4.8 million.
Those who own a home and spend about 30,000 to 40,000 per month can use 8 million to 10 million as a retirement savings benchmark.
Using a 4% annual withdrawal rate as a guide, retirement savings can be estimated at 25 times annual living expenses.
Principal Lyle’s original team releases a new work! The first episode of “Cat Bro’s Troubles” takes a jab: “Is someone busy whitewashing drugs?”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
風向株式會社 has launched “Cat Bro’s Troubles,” a new AI political satire short series made by the original team behind “Principal Lyle.” The first episode satirizes Puma Shen’s comments on drugs and medication, aiming to explore public issues from an ordinary citizen’s perspective.
Facts
風向株式會社 has launched a new AI political satire short series, “Cat Bro’s Troubles.”
“Cat Bro’s Troubles” was made by the original team behind “Principal Lyle.”
The first episode, “Are Drugs Medicine?”, focuses on Puma Shen’s past comments on issues involving drugs and medication.
The characters in “Cat Bro’s Troubles” include sharp-tongued citizen Cat Bro, “Dr. Tumor” and “Stubborn Mom.”
The short-drama series aims to explore 2026’s social media hot topics and public issues from the perspective of ordinary citizens.
Will Zhao Shaokang be expelled? “A big shot in the blue camp” fires the first shot; KMT central leadership rushes to put out the fire, with “response revealed”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
During the 2026 county and city mayoral elections, former China Broadcasting Corporation chairman Zhao Shaokang was targeted by a petition launched by KMT Central Committee member Jiang Yongxiong calling for his expulsion from the party after he interviewed DPP candidate Shen Boyang for a second time on his radio program. Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng publicly voiced support for Zhao, calling the move unwise; KMT central leadership urged party members to stay united and put the bigger picture first in order to win.
Facts
KMT Central Committee member Jiang Yongxiong launched a petition calling for Zhao Shaokang to be expelled from the party.
Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng criticized expelling Zhao Shaokang from the party as an unwise move.
趙少康 recently interviewed DPP candidate 沈伯洋 for a second time on his radio program.
Zhao Shaokang stressed that hosts should provide a fair platform for candidates from all parties.
KMT central leadership urged party members to put the bigger picture first and resolve their differences.
Zhao Shaokang admitted on Facebook that he supports Chiang Wan-an.
Chang San-cheng believes politicians should be open to scrutiny from differing viewpoints.
Business Champions》Naming an orchard after his two sons: 郡碩農創’s Tian Jiayi is paving the way for the next generation to return home
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Veteran Tian Jiayi returned to his hometown at age forty and founded the “郡碩” longan orchard, combining modern information technology with traditional farming. By improving workflows and diversifying products, such as harvesting longan flowers, he drew his parents into the business and encouraged his sons, who have professional skills, to take part. His goal is to pave a sustainable path for the next generation to return home and take over.
Facts
At around 40, Tian Jiayi decided to leave the military and change careers, taking agricultural courses about 3 years in advance.
After graduating from high school, Tian Jiayi left home to work for about 20 years, including a period of military service.
Tian Jiayi named the orchard business he founded for his two sons “郡碩.”
Tian Jiayi’s older son is studying aerospace engineering and helps his father with the technical details of the orchard monitoring system.
Tian Jiayi tried harvesting longan flowers to increase income. This prompted his father, who had been unwilling to help with processing, to join in picking the flowers.
Tian Jiayi’s younger son also helped with farm work before beginning military service.
Tian Jiayi aims to reduce the burden of tending the fires and establish distribution channels to ensure the family business can continue operating.
Business Champions》Saving century-old longan trees from disappearing! 郡碩農創’s Tian Jiayi uses technology to improve wood-fired drying and find a new path for agriculture in Zhongliao
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
郡碩農創 founder Tian Jiayi uses AIoT technology to improve wood-fired longan processing in Zhongliao, Nantou, boosting efficiency and ensuring quality. By supplying 主婦聯盟 through direct channels and offering high purchase prices, he helps farmers earn fair returns and works to preserve century-old longan trees and traditional techniques.
Graphic》Taipei home prices are 14.72 times household annual income! How does the pressure of buying a home vary across Taiwan? A look at home price-to-income ratios and mortgage burdens in 21 counties and cities
Never wear these 3 types of clothing on a plane! Veteran flight attendant reveals why they’re a no-go; many Taiwanese get it wrong.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Veteran flight attendant Sille told 英國《鏡報》 that passengers should avoid wearing flip-flops, shorts, crop tops and tight jeans when flying, to avoid compromising comfort and safety.
Facts
In a report by 英國《鏡報》, veteran flight attendant Sille said passengers should avoid flip-flops, shorts, crop tops and overly tight jeans when flying.
Flip-flops may increase the risk of tripping or slipping off when moving around the cabin or rushing to board, as they offer little coverage or support.
Cabin temperatures may differ greatly from the weather at the departure and destination points, and passengers may feel cold during the flight even when traveling to a hot vacation destination.
Beijing Watch》Has the Korean Wave returned to China? GD and G-Dragon’s 麥當勞 ad is everywhere; the business secrets behind K-pop.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
An ad featuring G-Dragon endorsing 麥當勞 has appeared on the streets of Beijing, sparking discussion about whether cultural exchanges between China and South Korea are being allowed again.
Facts
中國麥當勞 has been offering G-Dragon collaboration products at more than 8000 outlets nationwide since October 8.
More than 700 麥當勞 restaurants have changed their themed decor, while 16 flagship stores have created GD-themed spaces.
Ads featuring G-Dragon have appeared in popular shopping districts in major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Since South Korea deployed the THAAD missile defense system in 2016, Korean artists have faced long-standing restrictions on performances and the release of film and television works in China.
A source at the South Korean Embassy in China said it was uncommon for Korean artists’ endorsement ads to run on a large scale nationwide in China.
Japanese actress Nogi Hotaru reveals “all my debut information was fabricated”! Caught making adult films behind her family’s back; her mother was so angry she didn’t see her for years.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
On October 14, Japanese adult video actress Nogi Hotaru publicly corrected fabricated details about her personal history, acknowledging that her real birthday is June 2 and that she was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. She explained that she had kept the truth from her family to protect them, and said that although her relationship with her mother had once broken down, it is now improving. She also denied having plastic surgery to set the record straight.
Facts
Hotaru Nogi clarified on X on October 14 that her actual birthday is June 2 and that she was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Early in her career in the adult film industry, Hotaru Nogi concealed it from her parents and gave false personal information because she feared her family would find out.
Hotaru Nogi’s mother reacted strongly after learning about her career, and the two did not meet in person for years.
Hotaru Nogi denied ever undergoing plastic surgery, emphasizing that her appearance has remained unchanged.
Hotaru Nogi has recently started contacting her mother occasionally, marking a turning point in their relationship.
[The Journalist] Government rolls out new no-companion inpatient care policy; healthcare workers warn: Hospitals cannot outsource both care quality and management responsibilities
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Health and Welfare is promoting an integrated inpatient care service plan, with a goal of covering half of acute-care beds by 2028. A total of 3214 care attendants are currently involved. The service operates mainly through direct hospital hiring, outsourced staffing and hybrid models, but finding staff remains the biggest challenge.
Facts
The Ministry of Health and Welfare aims to make half of the country’s acute-care beds integrated inpatient care wards by 2028.
A total of 3214 care attendants are currently working in the domestic integrated inpatient care program.
Care attendants trained and directly hired by hospitals account for about 45% of the total.
Care attendants provided through outsourcing to staffing companies account for about 41% of the total.
Care attendants assigned under hybrid arrangements account for about 14% of the total.
Wangong Fishing Harbor and Baguashan lose out! Changhua’s top attraction drew 17.91 million visitors, who praised its great food and shopping and said there was enough to do for a whole day
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Tourism Administration statistics show that Lukang Old Street was Changhua’s most popular attraction from January to August 2026, drawing nearly 17.92 million visits. Wangong Fishing Harbor and Tianwei Highway Garden ranked second and third, respectively. The article details what makes each attraction special and the praise they have received from visitors.
Facts
From January to August 2026, Lukang Old Street and its surrounding area ranked first among Changhua’s tourist attractions, with 17,917,817 visits.
From January to August 2026, Tianwei Highway Garden ranked second among Changhua’s tourist attractions, with 7,005,199 visits.
From January to August 2026, Wangong Fishing Harbor, including the Sea and Sky Trail, ranked third among Changhua’s tourist attractions, with 6,104,505 visits.
Wang Gong Fishing Harbor, located in Fangyuan Township, Changhua County, is known for its pearl oysters, intertidal ecology and “Wang Gong Fishing Fires.”
Tianwei Highway Garden, located in Tianwei Township, Changhua County, is an important flower-growing area and horticultural distribution center in Taiwan.
Google reviews for Lukang Old Street and surrounding areas give it 4.5 stars, with 42,541 reviews.
Google reviews for Tianwei Highway Garden give it 4.3 stars, with 14,970 reviews.
Google reviews for Wang Gong Fishing Harbor give it 4.2 stars, with 2,291 reviews.
Seniors aged 70 are about to receive money! Government offering 36000 in transportation subsidies, available to “everyone nationwide who qualifies”—how to apply, all in one guide
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Transportation announced new license renewal rules for older drivers, lowering the renewal age to 70 and affecting about 1.28 million seniors. The new rules waive dementia screening and offer up to 36,000 in TPASS subsidies to encourage seniors to use public transportation and help ensure road safety.
Facts
The Ministry of Transportation has issued new license renewal rules for older drivers, lowering the mandatory periodic renewal age threshold from 75 to 70.
Seniors aged 70 or older renewing their licenses are exempt from cognitive function tests and need only complete a basic physical examination and attend a 2-hour safety education course.
The government has introduced a TPASS fare rebate program for seniors, offering up to 36,000 in subsidies to those who voluntarily surrender all their driver's licenses.
Driving with an expired license without renewing it may result in a fine of NT$1,800 to NT$3,600 if stopped for inspection or involved in an accident, under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.
The TPASS transportation subsidy covers metro and light rail systems across Taiwan, Taiwan Railways, county and city buses, intercity and highway buses, YouBike, ferries and taxis equipped with electronic ticketing systems.
Graphic》Lai Jui-lung and Ko Chih-en discuss the environment in Kaohsiung's election race! Which months have the worst air in Kaohsiung? A look at historical PM2.5 trends
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
In the 2026 Kaohsiung mayoral race, candidates Ko Chih-en and Lai Jui-lung have focused on air pollution. Official data show that although Kaohsiung's PM2.5 levels have declined year by year, they still tend to worsen in autumn and winter, and the current annual average has not met the new standard.
Facts
Kaohsiung's annual average PM2.5 concentration fell from 24.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2017 to 15.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2025.
Kaohsiung's Environmental Protection Bureau says PM2.5 concentrations are higher each year from October through March of the following year.
In 2024, the Ministry of Environment tightened the annual average PM2.5 standard to 12 micrograms per cubic meter.
In 2023, February was the month with the highest PM2.5 concentration in Kaohsiung, averaging 32.1μg/m³.
The main factors behind the decline in Kaohsiung's PM2.5 levels include the northeast monsoon, the terrain of the Central Mountain Range and atmospheric dispersion conditions.
Show your ID! Get a seafood platter if your name contains “this character,” a lobster if your number matches, or a free all-you-can-eat meal if you qualify—October restaurant deals across Taiwan
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
From late October through the end of the year, hotels and restaurants including 台北凱達大飯店, 王品集團 and 夏慕尼 are offering a range of deals. These include buffet discounts, gifts for customers whose names or ID numbers match specified criteria, and free meals or discounts for birthday celebrants dining with companions, in a bid to attract year-end gatherings.
Facts
台北凱達大飯店's 百宴 buffet restaurant is offering a “Summer vacation ends, but the good food doesn't” deal, with weekday lunch and dinner priced at 999, including the service charge.
Through October 31, 王品牛排 is offering a complimentary Italian seafood platter valued at 689 with the purchase of two dine-in set menus by customers whose names contain the character 王 or a related radical of 玉.
Customers at 夏慕尼 whose ID numbers contain any two characters from “HONEY520” can receive one complimentary Boston lobster valued at 1,200 when they dine in on a weekday and order two set menus.
Taichung's popular yakiniku restaurant 屋馬 is offering a Double Ten promotion from October 1 to 31, with Japanese A5 rib-eye steak reduced to 1,010.
美福大飯店's 彩匯 buffet restaurant is offering a “one birthday celebrant eats free when four people dine together” deal for birthday celebrants in the current month dining with at least four adults.
Beijing Watch》How old was Sun Yat-sen? Dispute over cross-strait anniversary calculations lays bare a battle over historical narratives
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
For events marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth in 2026, the Chinese Communist Party plans to hold expanded commemorations and invite Kuomintang figures. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has urged a boycott, citing the united front agenda behind the differing anniversary calculations, as the two sides vie for control of historical narratives.
Facts
2026 marks the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth, and the Chinese Communist Party is expected to hold expanded commemorative events around November 12.
Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh urged all parties not to co-host related events with the mainland in Taiwan or attend them in the mainland.
The Mainland Affairs Council said that from the perspective of the Republic of China, 2026 should mark the 161st anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth.
Sun Yat-sen was born on November 12, 1866. The Chinese Communist Party calculates his age using the Western method.
華爾街日報》特斯拉's new Roadster “takes off” after nearly a decade of delays
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
特斯拉 showcased its second-generation Roadster, equipped with rocket propulsion technology, in Texas on Thursday and announced that it will enter mass production in 2028. Although early customers have waited nine years, pricing and details on whether it can be driven on public roads have yet to be confirmed. The move signals the company's return to its core driving business.
Facts
特斯拉's second-generation Roadster was showcased Thursday at SpaceX's rocket testing site in McGregor, Texas.
Chief Executive Elon Musk announced that the Roadster will enter mass production in 2028.
The Roadster is equipped with a fan-based suction system and compressed-air thrusters to perform aerial maneuvers.
Some early reservation holders paid a $250,000 deposit as long as nine years ago.
The Roadster has been called the world's first flying car and is 特斯拉's only human-driven car.
Behind the Scenes》Taiwan's F-16V platform is formidable—why is it currently a “toothless tiger”?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The first 2 of Taiwan's 66 F-16V fighter jets arrived in October 2026. The total price was NT$247.2 billion. Because the electronic warfare system has not passed testing, the aircraft are being delivered with items missing, and delivery of the entire fleet is not expected until 2028.
Facts
The first 2 of the 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets Taiwan purchased from the United States flew from Hawaii via Guam to Taitung's Chihhang Air Base on October 2, 2026.
The total cost of this batch of F-16V Block 70 fighter jets is as high as NT$247.2 billion. Delivery was originally scheduled to begin in 2023, but delays including those caused by the pandemic pushed the arrival of the first 2 jets to the second half of 2026.
The first F-16V fighters to arrive in Taiwan are being delivered with items missing and without their onboard “Viper Shield” all-digital electronic warfare system, which has yet to pass the U.S. military's final integration tests and operational validation.
【新新聞】Lai Ching-te and Tsai Ing-wen take very different approaches to visiting the exhibition; Energy Week loses its buzz—is Taiwan's green energy industry in crisis?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
International Smart Energy Week opened on October 14, but the exhibition space has shrunk, photovoltaic booths have declined and only 4 offshore wind developers are participating. Companies say the Lai government favors nuclear power over green energy, undermining international confidence in Taiwan's renewable energy sector.
Facts
International Smart Energy Week opened on October 14, but the amount of exhibition space in use continues to shrink.
There are fewer photovoltaic exhibition booths this year than in previous years, signaling that the sector's boom is over.
Only 4 offshore wind developers have booths in this year's exhibition area.
Companies say the Lai Ching-te and Tsai Ing-wen governments differ in their attitudes toward the energy transition.
Companies are afraid to continue investing in green energy in Taiwan because the government's focus is on nuclear power.
10/17 International Morning Brief｜Trump says Zelensky is “harder to deal with” than Putin; foreign residents in Japan top 4.28 million, a record; Musk unveils “the world's first flying car”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《風傳媒》's 10/17 morning brief covers developments around the world: a White House spokesperson fired amid controversy, escalating China-Philippines diplomatic tensions, Trump's criticism of Ukraine's tactics, severe air pollution in Singapore, a record number of foreign residents in Japan and Musk's new product.
Facts
New White House press secretary Zakaria was fired less than a week after taking office, following controversy over his education and work history and a poor performance at his first press briefing.
Commentary: National security abused—excluding the red supply chain professionally and pragmatically
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
錦明實業 executives have been detained in connection with alleged violations of the National Security Act in a drone procurement case, prompting debate over whether the government's policy of excluding China is pragmatic.
Facts
Listed company 錦明實業 is suspected of installing Chinese-made chips and cameras in military drones and submitting false certificates of origin for military acceptance inspections. Prosecutors have detained company executives on charges including violating the National Security Act and aggravated fraud.
The Taiwanese government's drone program is set to receive NT$44.2 billion in funding from 2025 through 2030.
The surround-view systems in electric buses purchased by 欣欣客運 and 大南汽車, both under the Veterans Affairs Council, use chips made by 華為 subsidiary 海思半導體.
A pure electric vehicle contains at least more than 1500-3000 chips of various kinds, while a gasoline-powered vehicle also requires 500-700 chips.
Hot stocks: 中信金 gains 9.36% this week to a record high; institutions favor its dividend momentum and move in early
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
中信金 shares surged 9.36% in a single week on the U.S. high-interest-rate environment and the company’s strong earnings performance, setting a record high. Institutional investors expect gains from the disposal of FVOCI assets to be transferred to retained earnings and foresee strong momentum for cash dividends next year, prompting foreign investors and dealers to buy in early.
Facts
中信金 (2891-TW) surged a cumulative 9.36% in a single week, setting a new record high.
Foreign investors bought a net 18,482 lots over the past 2 trading days.
Dealers have been net buyers for 18 consecutive trading days, with cumulative net purchases of 23,694 lots.
中信金 reported cumulative after-tax net profit of NT$63.237 billion for the first 9 months, with EPS of NT$3.18.
Including gains from FVOCI disposals, 中信金’s cumulative profit for the first 9 months reached NT$131.462 billion.
The impact of after-tax gains from the disposal of FVOCI equity instruments on retained earnings amounted to NT$6.68 per share.
中信金’s cumulative after-tax gains from FVOCI disposals for the first 9 months reached NT$68.225 billion.
Singaporean ship attacked but still sailing! Why are shipping operators in the Strait of Hormuz willing to take the risk?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
A Singapore-flagged container ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, but supported by high oil prices and Asian energy demand, shipping operators may continue transiting the strait. Most global container shipping services have already adjusted their routes; an escalation of the conflict to the Gulf of Oman would disrupt supply chains.
Facts
The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride caught fire after being struck by an unidentified flying object and eventually sank.
In the week through October 14, 131 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The transport model known as the “Hormuz shuttle” sees about 20 very large crude carriers making round trips.
The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Giselle was damaged in the attack.
The ports of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates and Sohar in Oman have become important gateways for goods entering Gulf countries.
台積電 earnings briefing, Economic Affairs Ministry plans Texas industrial park, record one-day foreign selling: This week in review
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
台積電 raised its revenue growth forecast to 44%; the Ministry of Economic Affairs plans to invest US$4 billion in an AI park in Texas to help suppliers move to the U.S.; foreign investors recorded a record net sale of more than NT$300 billion in a single day amid macroeconomic concerns; 南亞科 benefited from shortages to post a sharp profit increase; and the Financial Supervisory Commission will implement a new default-management system in April next year.
Facts
台積電 forecasts fourth-quarter revenue in U.S. dollars to rise 14% quarter over quarter and raised its full-year growth forecast to about 44%.
Foreign investors posted a record net sale of NT$302.555 billion in a single day.
Taiwan plans to raise up to US$4 billion to develop an industrial park in Texas, United States.
南亞科 reported third-quarter earnings per share of NT$25.4, up 74.6% quarter over quarter.
The FSC’s strengthened default-management system will take effect on April 1, 2027.
Companies mentioned：台積電、輝達、鴻海、南亞科、致茂、台泥、Cimpor International Holdings
BofA’s Hartnett turns defensive, sees heightened risks over the next month
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
BofA strategist Hartnett warned that risks will rise over the next month, recommending hedging and a shift toward consumer discretionary stocks, REITs and small caps. He is bullish on gold and emerging markets and is watching semiconductor prices to gauge AI spending trends.
Facts
美銀證券 strategist Michael Hartnett expects market risks to increase over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Warning signs have emerged in corporate credit markets, with credit default swap spreads widening.
Institutional investors’ allocation to consumer discretionary stocks has fallen to its lowest level since July 2008.
Fund managers’ overweight positions in technology stocks have reached their highest level since August 2020.
The market consensus is that the AI bubble will peak in 2027.
Semiconductor prices are a key indicator for gauging economic health and market direction in 2027.
The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has fallen about 25 basis points from the 24-year high reached a week ago.
Higher rates for longer! Apollo warns: AI investment and U.S. fiscal pressures are key factors
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
阿波羅全球管理 Chief Economist Torsten Sløk warned that interest rates will stay higher for longer because expected returns on AI investment exceed borrowing costs.
Facts
Torsten Sløk, chief economist at 阿波羅全球管理, said that as long as AI capital spending continues to grow rapidly, interest rates are unlikely to fall.
Many AI investors expect returns on related investments to exceed 10%, far above the current federal funds rate of about 4%.
Wall Street believes that large-scale construction of AI data centers, chips and related infrastructure is enough to justify the massive capital spending.
Sløk stressed that the prospect of interest rates staying high for longer will persist.
Companies mentioned：阿波羅全球管理、Apollo Global Management
Even archrival Altman is impressed! 特斯拉's flying Roadster sports car makes its debut, stunning Trump and Pichai
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
特斯拉's second-generation electric supercar, the Roadster, made its debut after a 9-year hiatus, showcasing aerial stunts with SpaceX air thrusters. Celebrities including OpenAI CEO Altman and U.S. President Trump praised it. The new model will come in 3 trim levels, with mass production expected in 2028.
Facts
特斯拉's second-generation electric supercar, the Roadster, finally made its debut after nearly 9 years.
The new Roadster is equipped with air thrusters developed jointly with SpaceX.
After watching the demonstration, U.S. President Trump said the car was quite impressive.
Mass production of the new Roadster's Rocket model is scheduled to begin in 2028.
Sam Altman publicly canceled his Roadster preorder last year.
特斯拉's second-generation Roadster was originally scheduled to begin deliveries in 2020, when its announced price was US$200,000.
As of 07:55 Taipei time on October 17, 2026, September revenue had been reported by a total of 243 major companies with capital of at least 5 billion.
元大金 ranked first among the top 3 companies for year-over-year September revenue growth, with a growth rate of 67.3% and monthly revenue of 14.928 billion.
潤隆 ranked first among the top 5 companies for year-over-year September revenue growth, with a growth rate of 63462.8% and monthly revenue of 1.221 billion.
鑽石生技 ranked first among the top 5 companies for month-over-month September revenue growth, with a growth rate of 24715.2% and monthly revenue of 341 million.
Among major companies that have reported September revenue, 92 posted year-over-year revenue growth of more than 25%, while 23 recorded a decline of more than 20%.
Has the AI trade's "best phase" passed? 巴克萊: Chip stock plunge reflects position unwinding, not a collapse in fundamentals
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
巴克萊 strategist Emmanuel Cau analyzed how inflation, geopolitics and chip stock selloffs affected markets this week. He said the decline reflected position unwinding rather than deteriorating fundamentals, and advised investors to shift to selective positioning as the AI trade matures.
Facts
巴克萊 strategist Emmanuel Cau said U.S. CPI and PPI came in above expectations, reviving market concerns about further monetary tightening.
Technology and semiconductor stocks faced the heaviest selling pressure this week, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) and South Korea's KOSPI falling about 8% and 14%, respectively.
Three factors weighed on chip stocks: intensifying competition in the global memory market, 2 Asian data center companies delaying their IPOs, and investors scrutinizing the ability of AI capital spending to translate into revenue.
巴克萊 believes the recent market weakness reflects investor positioning rather than a substantive deterioration in fundamentals, as recent results from 艾司摩爾 and 台積電 both offered a strong demand outlook.
巴克萊 strategist Emmanuel Cau acknowledged that the best phase of the AI-themed trade may already be over, advising investors to prioritize companies with proven business models, strong cash flow, clear revenue sources and reasonable valuations.
"Big Short" investor Burry increases bets against U.S. stocks, wagering on a pullback in the Nasdaq and semiconductor stocks
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Investor Burry has increased his bets against U.S. stocks, wagering on a pullback in the Nasdaq and semiconductor stocks and pointing to the risks of an AI revenue gap and deteriorating market breadth.
Facts
Bain & Company estimates the AI industry will need to generate US$6 trillion in annual revenue by 2031 to support data center spending.
Burry announced on October 11 that he had converted most of his options positions into puts on the Nasdaq 100 Index and the SMH ETF.
The share of Nasdaq 100 constituents trading above their 200-day moving average fell from 77% to 56%.
輝達 accounts for 19.6% of the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), while 台積電 accounts for 9.3%.
The SMH semiconductor ETF has risen more than 67% so far this year.
Burry expects the market to hit a significant high within the next 9 months.
As of the end of September, 美光 shares were about 2% higher than when Burry first shorted them.
Both sides of the Taiwan Strait tighten technology controls! China plans export controls on 40 technologies, including AI; Taiwan cracks down on chip smuggling
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
China plans to add export controls on 40 technologies, primarily in AI; Taiwan is expanding export controls on AI hardware and increasing criminal penalties. The two sides' policies target technology exports and hardware flows, respectively.
Facts
China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology released a revised draft for public comment, proposing export controls on an additional 40 technologies.
AI accounts for 23 of the newly added technologies, including large models and AI agents.
Taiwan Economic Affairs Minister 龔明鑫 said the government plans to add AI servers and advanced semiconductors to the export control list.
Violations involving the shipment of controlled items from Taiwan to China will be subject to criminal liability under the Trade Act.
China's Ministry of Commerce stressed that after the measures formally take effect, the vast majority of AI technologies will still be freely exportable.
[興能高] Announcement of the resignation of the chairperson of subsidiary 昆山興能能源科技有限公司, made on behalf of a major subsidiary
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 臺灣證券交易所
興能高 (6558) announced that 陳國鍾 had resigned as chairperson of its subsidiary 昆山興能能源科技有限公司 for personal reasons. A successor will be announced after a board resolution.
Facts
興能高 announced that 陳國鍾 had resigned as chairperson of its subsidiary 昆山興能能源科技有限公司
陳國鍾 resigned as chairperson of 昆山興能能源科技有限公司 for personal reasons
The new chairperson of 昆山興能能源科技有限公司 will be announced after approval by the board
The date of this personnel change was October 16, 115
[興能高] Announces resignation of the company's chairperson
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 臺灣證券交易所
興能高 (6558) announced that chairperson 陳國鍾 had resigned for personal reasons. He also served as the corporate director representative of 統一國際開發(股)公司. The new chairperson and corporate director representative will be announced later.
Facts
興能高 (company code 6558) received the resignation letter of chairperson 陳國鍾 on October 16, 115.
陳國鍾's positions from which he resigned include chairperson and corporate director representative.
陳國鍾 is the corporate director representative of 統一國際開發(股)公司.
興能高 will announce its new chairperson after the board's selection.
統一國際開發(股)公司 will announce its new corporate director representative after a new appointment is made.
[聯發科]‎ (Supplement to the announcement dated 115/03/20) Announcement, on behalf of subsidiary 匯發國際(香港)有限公司 (hereinafter "匯發國際"), of the disposal of securities
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 臺灣證券交易所
聯發科 announced that its subsidiary 匯發國際 disposed of shares in Shenzhen City 匯頂 Technology for a total of approximately RMB 576 million, recognizing approximately RMB 446 million in other comprehensive income, as part of its funds planning.
Facts
聯發科 subsidiary 匯發國際 disposed of 9,299,993 shares of 匯頂 for a total of approximately RMB 576 million.
The disposal resulted in approximately RMB 446 million in other comprehensive income and had no impact on net profit after tax.
Following the disposal, 聯發科 still holds 3,826,712 shares of 匯頂, representing approximately 0.82%.
The primary purpose of the disposal transaction was the company’s funds planning.
The board approved the disposal of securities on March 20, 115.
台新新光金: The company's subsidiary 台新銀行 announces the transfer of credit assets.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 臺灣證券交易所
The summary of this item is not shown
Facts
Our company announces the transfer of credit assets by its subsidiary 台新銀行.
The transaction concerns credit assets under a syndicated loan.
A transaction for US$7,000,000.00 was conducted on 115/08/28, with 韓商韓亞銀行股份有限公司Offshore Branch as the counterparty.
A transaction for US$9,000,000.00 was conducted on 115/10/16, with Export-Import Bank of Thailand as the counterparty.
The purpose of this transaction is to optimize the portfolio of credit assets.
Companies mentioned：台新新光金、台新銀行、CREDIT AGRICOLE CIB、Export-Import Bank of Thailand、韓商韓亞銀行股份有限公司、韓商韓亞銀行股份有限公司Offshore Branch、韓商韓亞銀行股份有限公司Singapore Branch
台灣自來水公司 issued a water outage alert for Pingshan Village, Nantou City, Nantou County, due to emergency repairs to a broken pipe on Zhangnan Road, Section 二. The outage is expected to last from 07:54 to 14:00 on October 17, 2026.
台灣自來水公司 issued a water outage alert for Neixin Village, Nantou City, Nantou County, due to emergency repairs to a leak opposite No. 50, Lane 74, Zhongxing Road. The outage is expected to last from 07:42 to 14:00 on October 17, 2026.
An introduction to the 七-minute basic Barre sculpting workout, highlighting how it helps maintain elegant posture and sculpt the body, and noting that it is suitable for beginners.