Man charged with murder after killing girlfriend's sworn younger brother with a Rambo knife
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A man surnamed Wang in Taipei's Wanhua District, upset over his girlfriend's close relationship with her sworn younger brother, stabbed Ding to death with a Rambo knife in June this year. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office charged Wang with murder and referred the case to the Taipei District Court's citizens' judge court for trial.
Foreign Ministry: No upgrade to travel alerts for France and Italy for now; adjustments may be made as needed
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Foreign Ministry assesses that security conditions in France and Italy are not yet critical and will not raise the travel alerts to Level 2 for now, but it will monitor the situation closely and adjust the alerts as needed.
Facts
France and Italy are both currently at Level 1 on the travel alert scale
大眾控 partners with Malaysia's Cape to accelerate optical communications capacity expansion
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
大眾控 subsidiary PRO3C signed a strategic cooperation memorandum and subscription agreement with Malaysian listed company Cape EMS Berhad, aiming to accelerate its optical communications capacity expansion by integrating manufacturing resources. 大眾控 aims to expand the SMT production lines at its Johor Bahru plant from 8 to 18 by the end of 2027, and plans to subscribe for Cape EMS special shares worth 50 million ringgit.
APEC finance ministers' meeting opens; representatives from 21 economies, including Chuang Tsui-yun, attend
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting is being held in Hong Kong today, hosted by China and organized by Hong Kong. Finance ministers or representatives from 21 economies are attending, including Taiwan Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun.
Typhoon Champi threat prompts 花蓮縣政府 to urge farmers to prepare in advance
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
花蓮縣政府 urged farmers to closely monitor Typhoon Champi, take advance measures to protect crops, clear drainage systems and secure facilities to reduce damage, and promptly report any damage and document it using an app.
Paris international food show opens; Tainan City Government makes first appearance to pursue European market
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The 2026 SIAL Paris food show opened on Oct. 17, with the Tainan City Government making its first appearance with a Tainan pavilion and bringing together multiple companies to pursue the European market.
Chinese student studying in Russia wears Rising Sun flag to class; expelled and deported after classmates report him
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A Chinese student surnamed Chen studying in Russia wore a Rising Sun flag over his clothes in a class at 莫斯科大學. After classmates protested and a student association petitioned, the university decided to expel him and send him back to China.
Probe into alleged profiteering in Taitung farm road widening; investigators take Wu Chun-li away at airport
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Investigators took former county magistrate Wu Chun-li away at Fengnian Airport as part of a probe into an alleged profiteering case involving a Taitung County Government farm road widening project and a resort. They also searched his home and multiple other locations, including the service office of his sister, Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua.
Brazil presidential runoff debate turns heated; swing voters show no clear shift, analysts say
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Brazil’s first televised presidential runoff debate featured heated exchanges. Media analysis found neither side made a clear breakthrough among swing voters, leaving the race still neck and neck.
Facts
Brazil presidential runoff on the 25th
During the first major televised debate on the evening of the 18th
台積電 falls NT$25 to NT$2,395; Taiwan stocks plunge more than 400 points in morning trading
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
U.S. AI chip stocks rebounded, ending the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index’s 8-session losing streak. Taiwan stocks opened lower and fluctuated in morning trading, falling more than 400 points. 台積電, the market heavyweight, fell as low as NT$2,395, down 1.03%. Other electronics stocks were mixed, with 聯發科 surging against the trend and 日月光投控 holding steady. Institutions said Taiwan stocks were undergoing a weak technical consolidation, and attention remains focused on the market’s response to returns on AI investment.
Apple event set for the 28th; reports say first touchscreen MacBook Pro to debut
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Apple announced it will hold its Pro and tell event in Los Angeles on October 28. Reports say it will unveil its first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a move seen as reflecting new CEO Ternus’s efforts to accelerate product development and simplify the organizational structure.
Louvre blocked by art academy students protesting for high schoolers and calling for cultural equity
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Students from the Louvre School of Art blocked the entrance to the Louvre Pyramid on the 19th in solidarity with high school students protesting a lack of resources. They also urged the Macron government to address cuts to cultural funding and students’ rights.
Facts
About 80 students
This year, a standard adult ticket costs 22 euros
Tickets for adults from outside the European Economic Area rose further to 32 euros
Poland’s 窩噗瘋薩克斯風四重奏 embraces classical music without wavering
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Poland’s 窩噗瘋薩克斯風四重奏（Whoop Group） is visiting Taiwan for performances marking its 10th anniversary, remaining committed to the artistry of classical music while also arranging classic cartoon scores. The group will perform with 高雄市管樂團 at Taipei’s National Concert Hall on October 21 and at the Weiwuying Concert Hall in Kaohsiung on October 23.
Survey: 49% say economic growth has a positive effect on household finances
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
國泰金’s October national economic confidence survey showed that the public’s optimism index for Taiwan stocks rose to a record high of 55. About 49% said economic growth has a positive effect on household finances, with investment gains cited as the main source of benefit.
Facts
49% say economic growth has a positive effect on household finances
Public optimism index for Taiwan stocks rises to 55
42% say the gains come from investments such as stocks and funds
10% say they come from salaries and bonuses
Economic conditions optimism index rises to 19.7
Outlook optimism index rises to 20.0
Wage expectations index hits a record high of 25.3
Big-ticket spending intention index rises to 19.1
Durable goods spending intention index rises to -3.3
Taiwan’s projected economic growth rate for 2026 is 11.05%
Inflation rate 2.07%
The average expectation is 10.94%
55% expect this year’s economic growth rate to exceed 11%
Average inflation expectation is 2.52%
As many as 52% expect this year’s inflation rate to exceed 2.5%
Oil prices rise above US$100
Risk appetite index also rises to 35
15% say the effect is clearly positive
34% say the effect is partly positive
32% have yet to feel a clear impact
14% say there is no positive effect and that things have instead worsened
37% say their income has not increased noticeably
A total of 13,461 valid questionnaire responses were collected
Benefits of 台積電’s German plant: Czech Republic offers Taiwanese businesses a foothold in Europe
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
台積電’s plant in Germany is prompting Taiwanese supply-chain companies to expand into neighboring Czechia. 愛豐通運 will establish a logistics center for semiconductor chemicals in the country. With its central European location and lower operating costs, Czechia is becoming a foothold for Taiwanese businesses entering Europe.
Facts
Operating costs are about half those in Germany
The semiconductor industry has a history of more than 70 years
There are currently more than 100 semiconductor-related companies
3 manufacturing plants
Czechia already has 2 semiconductor research centers
Somaliland marks World Food Day; Taiwan-Somaliland agricultural cooperation improves farmers’ livelihoods
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Zhao Xiangqun, deputy counselor at the Taiwan Representative Office in Somaliland, attended the country’s Agriculture Ministry event marking World Food Day. The event showcased results of Taiwan-Somaliland agricultural cooperation, including seed industry development, technology transfer and farmer training. He also heard local farmers describe how improved agricultural techniques had enhanced their livelihoods.
Cash and gifts allegedly given in vote-buying scheme; 1 Chiayi County village chief candidate released on bail
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
A candidate for village chief in Wangchen Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, was suspected of giving cash and gifts to voters during September and October in an alleged vote-buying scheme. After an investigation by the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office, the court ordered the candidate released on bail of NT$50,000.
Facts
19 people, including the candidate, were taken in for questioning
Court orders release on NT$50,000 bail
18 voters released without bail
Cash ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$20,000 was handed out
Wu Der-rong: European model sees high chance Typhoon Jangmi will make landfall; heaviest wind and rain expected on the 23rd and 24th
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Weather expert Wu Der-rong said European model simulations indicate a high chance that Typhoon Jangmi will make landfall or pass near Taiwan on the 23rd and 24th, bringing severe winds and rain that should not be underestimated. The northeast monsoon will move south tomorrow, bringing rain to windward areas and lower temperatures.
Japan’s H3 rocket carrying a probe lifts off, aiming to make the world’s first sample-return mission from a Martian moon
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Japan’s JAXA successfully launched an H3 rocket carrying the MMX probe, aiming to make the world’s first mission to collect samples from Phobos, a moon of Mars, and return them to Earth.
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ends 8-session losing streak as AI stocks rebound; analysts: Taiwan stocks’ ability to hold depends on foreign investor moves
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ended an 8-session losing streak and U.S. AI stocks rebounded. Taiwan stocks fluctuated and closed lower on the 19th, while foreign investors continued to be net sellers. Analysts are watching foreign investor moves and the New Taiwan dollar’s exchange rate.
Facts
台積電 ADR surged 1.84%
Closed at 2425 points
Fell 78 points
Closed at 46691 points
Edged down 36.38 points
or 0.07%
Closed at 51966.03 points
Edged up 31.29 points
or 0.41%
Closed at 7690.73 points
Rose 290.86 points
Or 1.11%
Closed at 26430.89 points
Surged 179.06 points
Or 1.61%
Closed at 11316.34 points
Down for 8 consecutive trading days
Surged 1.38%
Closed at US$217.09
Rose 1.84%
Closed at US$420.22
Rose 1.76%
Rose 2.97%
Rose 2.43%
Rose 4.67%
Plunged more than 940 points
Down 289.18 points
Closed at 46822.08 points
Net sales of NT$76.742 billion
Net sales for 9 consecutive trading days
Net short positions fell by 3798 contracts
To 4216 contracts
Foreign investors’ net short positions fell by 2530 contracts
To 9萬1145 contracts
From the start of the year through Oct. 19
Cumulative net sales on Taiwan’s main board reached NT$2.03 trillion
Pope calls Zelenskyy, seeks ceasefire amid humanitarian crisis in Ukrainian city
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Pope Leo XIV called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express concern over the humanitarian crisis in the town of Oleshky and mediate a ceasefire, hoping Russia and Ukraine would work together to allow civilians to evacuate safely.
U.S. tech stocks rebound as market worries high borrowing costs could hurt AI companies’ profits
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
U.S. tech stocks rebounded, but the market is concerned that rising Treasury yields will increase borrowing costs for smaller AI companies, affecting profits and investment sentiment.
Indiana lieutenant governor: President Lai’s National Day address echoed U.S. founding ideals; Taiwan-U.S. ties are close
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
Indiana Lieutenant Governor Beckwith visited Taiwan for National Day, praising Taiwan as an emerging democracy and saying President Lai Ching-te’s National Day address echoed the ideals behind the founding of the United States. He stressed that Taiwan-U.S. ties are close and that Taiwan is an important economic partner for Indiana, with significant opportunities for cooperation in trade, technology and agriculture.
Facts
Total value of US$6.4 billion
Indiana became Taiwan’s first sister state in 1979
In 2025, Taiwan pledged to purchase corn, soybeans and other agricultural products from the United States
Explainer》Together for 20 years but never married: Could you receive no inheritance if your partner suddenly dies? How is NT$10 million divided? A graphic explains
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article examines differences in inheritance rights between unmarried couples and registered partners in Taiwan, noting that unmarried partners have no legal inheritance rights and recommending wills to protect their interests. It also explains an amendment removing siblings’ reserved share of an estate, set to take effect in 2027.
Facts
Taiwan’s Act for Implementation of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 七四八 took effect on May 24, 2019, making legally registered same-sex partners each other’s legal heirs.
Under Article 1138 of the Civil Code, unmarried partners do not automatically gain a spouse’s inheritance status, regardless of how long they have been together.
The Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to Article 1223 of the Civil Code at third reading on July 28, 2026, removing the reserved share for siblings.
The new law removing the reserved share for siblings is scheduled to take effect on February 17, 2027.
Under Article 1144 of the Civil Code, when a spouse inherits alongside parents as second-priority heirs, the spouse’s share is one-half of the estate.
Beijing Watch》Is the “Golden September, Silver October” housing market rebound an illusion? China’s Q3 economic growth “beats expectations,” but youth employment woes persist and domestic demand remains the biggest test
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
China’s Q3 GDP growth reached 4.5%, beating expectations, but fixed-asset investment fell sharply, youth unemployment remained high, and weak domestic demand and a divided property market became major obstacles to economic recovery.
Facts
China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced on Oct. 19 that GDP grew 4.5% year over year in the third quarter
China’s total goods imports and exports grew 18.8% year over year in the first three quarters of 2026
The unemployment rate among 16-to-24-year-olds, excluding students, rose to 18.9% in August
New home prices in Beijing fell 2.7% year over year in September
China is expected to have about 1270萬 university graduates this year
Total retail sales of consumer goods grew 1.1% year over year in September
Leaves Taiwan less than 1 year after arriving! Korean cheerleader Kim Yu-na moves into “borderline” livestreaming with revealing content costing nearly NT$10,000 a month
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Korean cheerleader Kim Yu-na left the team less than a year after coming to Taiwan, moving to a paid subscription platform to offer revealing livestream content. Her premium plan costs nearly NT$10,000 a month, drawing discussion.
Facts
Kim Yu-na left the team alongside six members of Pilots Crew on Sept. 3, 2026.
Kim Yu-na’s premium personal subscription plan costs NT$9,900 per month.
金裕娜 previously played for South Korea's professional basketball team 昌原LG獵隼 and professional baseball team NC恐龍.
金裕娜 joined the 桃園璞園領航猿 cheerleading squad Pilots Crew in 2025.
金裕娜's basic subscription plan costs NT$990 per month.
Not Labor Insurance or Labor Pension! Workers have forgotten about the “3rd retirement fund”: nearly NT$80,000 deposited each year, available even while still employed. See the eligibility requirements at a glance
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Labor reported more than 1.6万 claims for continued retirement pension contributions in the first half of 2025, with an average amount of nearly NT$80,000. Under the new labor pension system, if people continue working after receiving their pension at age 60, employers must still contribute at least 6% to their individual accounts. This is known as continued retirement pension contributions, and eligible people can generally apply once a year.
Facts
There were more than 16,000 claims for continued retirement pension contributions in the first half of 2025, with an average claim of nearly NT$80,000.
If workers continue working after receiving retirement benefits under the new labor pension system, employers must still make monthly pension contributions as required by law, at a rate of no less than 6% of the monthly insured salary.
Continued retirement pension contributions can generally be claimed once a year, with at least 1 year between claims.
If retired workers are employed by two or more businesses at the same time, each employer must make pension contributions for them as required by law, but the contribution periods for the same time frame are not counted more than once.
People who have claimed Labor Insurance old-age benefits cannot rejoin general labor insurance. If they return to work, they must still enroll in occupational accident insurance as required.
Was the “洋流” surge guided by a master strategist? Former legislator claims she is the mastermind: a complete script
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Former legislator 孫大千 criticized the “洋流” campaign of 民進黨 Taipei mayoral candidate 沈伯洋 as a script orchestrated by former President 蔡英文, and warned 國民黨 to guard against the effect spilling over into New Taipei City.
Facts
Former legislator 孫大千 said on the program 《中天辣晚報》 that the rise of 沈伯洋's “洋流” seemed to follow a complete script.
孫大千 named former President 蔡英文 as personally intervening to orchestrate 沈伯洋's campaign.
孫大千 questioned what positions or actions 沈伯洋 had put forward that could attract such intense attention in a short time and create a “洋流.”
孫大千 said the Taipei mayoral election could not be easily turned around based solely on a short-term surge in attention, given the existing voter composition.
The Ministry of Labor is sending out payments: the old farmers' allowance is being deposited today! Who can receive NT$8,110? Another 14 allowances will be paid before the end of October. See the schedule at a glance
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Bureau of Labor Insurance under the Ministry of Labor will pay the farmers' monthly pension savings and the old farmers' allowance on Oct. 20. The full monthly amount is NT$8,110. Another 14 types of allowances, including Labor Insurance, National Pension Insurance and prenatal checkup subsidies, will be deposited before the end of October.
Facts
The Bureau of Labor Insurance under the Ministry of Labor will pay the farmers' monthly pension savings and the old farmers' allowance on Oct. 20.
Eligible recipients of the full old farmers' allowance receive NT$8,110 per month.
The farmers' pension savings system has been in effect since 110年.
Labor Insurance annuity benefits, occupational accident insurance annuity benefits and the first payments of monthly labor pension benefits will be paid on Oct. 29.
Several benefits, including National Pension Insurance old-age annuity benefits and survivor annuities, will be paid on Oct. 30.
Farmers who reach the eligible age in 114年 can receive more than NT$10,000 per month if they have contributed 10% since the program began and receive the old farmers' allowance.
In depth: Following the CCP model of wearing a neckerchief, what signal does 沈伯洋's major shift in cross-strait policy send to Beijing? To turn the tide against 蔣萬安, it will also depend on “these 2 things”
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
民進黨 Taipei mayoral candidate 沈伯洋 has adjusted his cross-strait rhetoric, denying that exchanges amount to united front work and supporting the Taipei-Shanghai city forum. His neckerchief-wearing image has prompted comparisons with the CCP's Young Pioneers. Expert 紀舜傑 analyzed his “洋流” effect and considered whether he could turn the race around against 蔣萬安 by sending conciliatory signals.
Facts
民進黨 Taipei mayoral candidate 沈伯洋 has shifted his cross-strait rhetoric, denying that all cross-strait exchanges are united front work.
沈伯洋 said that if there are worthwhile topics for exchange between Taipei and Shanghai, the two cities can certainly proceed.
Commentators have said that 沈伯洋's neckerchief-wearing image looks very much like the CCP's Young Pioneers.
紀舜傑, an associate professor in the Department of Education and Future Design at 淡江大學, analyzed how 沈伯洋's “洋流” differs from 韓國瑜's “韓流.”
蔣萬安 brought in Taichung Mayor 盧秀燕 to serve as campaign headquarters chair and lend her support.
紀舜傑 said 沈伯洋's “洋流” had elements of careful design, but external circumstances also helped bring it about.
沈伯洋 has successfully changed his image, which is seen as a conciliatory signal to Beijing.
Weather expert 吳德榮 said the latest European model simulations for strong Typhoon Kammuri show the highest likelihood of making landfall in Taiwan on the 23rd or 24th, with the impact probability reaching 62% in Keelung and Yilan. The northeast monsoon will move south starting tomorrow, bringing cooler temperatures. The weather will stabilize after the typhoon moves away on the 25th and 26th.
Facts
The average path in the latest European model simulations shows the highest likelihood of Kammuri making landfall and crossing Taiwan on the 23rd or 24th.
The Central Weather Administration's latest typhoon wind impact probabilities show a rate of 62% for both Keelung City and Yilan County.
The typhoon impact probabilities for New Taipei City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City and Hualien County are 55%, 56%, 51% and 56%, respectively.
Typhoon Kammuri is expected to move away gradually on the 25th and 26th, with the wind and rain easing and the weather stabilizing.
Weather expert 吳德榮 said Kammuri is expected to reach its peak today and tomorrow, and its storm radius will also expand.
Zunjie brake pedal fracture controversy: State media slams reviews as “weaponized” as 特斯拉's flying sports car sets off a heated debate among Chinese netizens: Who is “hating China”?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
《經濟日報》 criticized 懂車帝 for a conflict of interest in its Zunjie V800 brake test and warned that “weaponized” reviews harm the industry. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has launched an investigation aimed at easing the public dispute sparked by comparisons with 特斯拉 and protecting the image of China's new energy vehicle brands.
Facts
《經濟日報》, a Communist Party newspaper directly under the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, published a commentary on Oct. 17 criticizing 懂車帝 for a conflict of roles and a lack of credibility.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and two other departments formed a joint investigation team on the evening of Oct. 15 to investigate the Zunjie V800 incident.
Zunjie Automobile released a third-party testing report on Oct. 13, claiming that all Zunjie V800 indicators meet national standards.
懂車帝 released a video on Oct. 8 showing the brake pedal of the Zunjie V800, developed through a partnership between 華為 and 江淮汽車, breaking during a test.
Illustrated guide: Carrying purchases home on a scooter? Go beyond this line and you're breaking the rules! Cargo cannot be higher than your shoulders. How are the 10-centimeter width and 50-centimeter length limits measured?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article explains the legal size and weight limits for cargo carried on scooters: cargo height is limited to shoulder level, width to 10 centimeters beyond the outer edge of the handlebars, and length to 50 centimeters beyond the rear wheel axle. Violations are punishable by fines of NT$300 to NT$600.
Facts
Cargo carried on a scooter must not extend above the rider's shoulders. When measured from the side, the shoulder line is the reference point.
Cargo width on a scooter is measured outward from the outer edge of the handlebars, up to 10 centimeters on each side.
Cargo extending beyond the rear of a scooter is measured from the rear wheel axle and must not exceed 50 centimeters.
The legal cargo weight limit for a standard 125cc scooter, classified as an ordinary heavy-duty motorcycle, is 80 kilograms.
Violations of scooter cargo regulations are punishable by a fine of NT$300 to NT$600.
A 29-year-old civil servant shared investment experience on Dcard, using a stable salary and leveraged loans to build stock assets of NT$16.22 million over 8 years, with returns exceeding 128%. Core holdings include blue-chip stocks such as 台積電. The investor also warned of the risks of leveraged investing.
Facts
The 29-year-old civil servant's stocks have a total market value of about NT$16.22 million, with investment returns exceeding 128%.
The investor holds 14 stocks across the Taiwan and U.S. markets.
台積電 is the largest core holding, with a market value of about NT$6.556 million.
元大台灣50 is the second-largest core holding, with a market value of about NT$2.954 million.
台達電 is the third-largest core holding, with a market value of about NT$2.082 million.
The investor used low-interest loans to increase investment positions early.
Cash dividend income this year, through October, was about NT$360,000.
Explainer: Japan's Lake Kawaguchi hotel murder case: Where is Lake Kawaguchi, who is the suspect, and what connection does the case have to Taiwanese people?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
A murder occurred at a hotel in Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. A 27-year-old Taiwanese woman was arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife, and police are investigating the relationship between the parties and the cause of death.
Facts
A woman in her 30s was found dead in a hotel room in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on the morning of the 19th.
Police arrested a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman at the scene for violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law after finding her with a kitchen knife with a blade about 12 cm long.
The woman was discovered after a hotel staff member went to check on a tour group traveler who had failed to show up at the agreed meeting point.
Taiwanese visitors accounted for 154,340 overnight stays among foreign visitors to Yamanashi Prefecture in the first half of 2026, up 12.1% from the same period last year.
Lake Kawaguchi is in Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and covers about 5.48 square kilometers.
Taiwan stocks update: U.S. stocks rebound, but Taiwan shares fail to follow! Market opens down more than 200 points; 台積電 falls NT$20, while 聯發科 rises NT$55
Remember to check your passbook! The Bureau of Labor Insurance is issuing a cash bonus today, with each person eligible to receive up to NT$8,110. Check the payment dates for 16 Labor Insurance and National Pension benefits at a glance.
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Insurance has released its October payment schedule. Payments on the 20th include the Farmers' Pension Allowance, worth up to NT$8,110, followed by Labor Insurance annuity payments and other benefits at the end of the month.
Facts
The first round of payments on October 20 covers the Farmers' Pension Allowance and the Farmers' Monthly Retirement Savings. Eligible recipients can receive up to NT$8,110.
People enrolled in Farmers' Insurance with a combined insurance coverage period of at least 15 years can receive the full Farmers' Pension Allowance of NT$8,110.
The calculation for farmers' retirement savings is based on the monthly minimum wage for workers of NT$26,400.
Labor Insurance annuity benefits and National Pension Insurance old-age annuity benefits are scheduled to be paid on October 30.
Under the Farmers' Pension Allowance income threshold, an individual's total income across all categories for consolidated income tax purposes must be less than NT$500,000.
Taichung's private 修平科技大學 announced a merger with 國立暨南國際大學 in 2026 amid the impact of declining birth rates. After 61 years, it will stop admitting students and donate its campus assets, becoming the country's first public-private merger across different systems.
Facts
The board of 修平科技大學 has agreed to merge with 國立暨南國際大學 and donate all of its assets to the state.
修平科大 is expected to stop admissions across the board starting in academic year 115, with a few master's programs excepted.
This is the country's first public-private university merger across different systems.
The dissolution of the legal entity and transfer of assets will be completed as of August 1, 119.
修平科大 was founded in 1965 and was originally named 樹德家政專科學校.
Except for students in the international preparatory program, who will be covered by separate plans, all current students will complete their studies at the original campus.
修平科大 has spent six decades developing talent for central Taiwan's precision machinery industry, training more than 70,000 professionals.
The Ministry of Labor is handing out money! Workers aged 45 and older: remember to claim 2 benefits. Eligible applicants can receive up to NT$60,000. How to apply for employment incentives, at a glance
Full-time workers can receive up to NT$60,000 in incentives, while part-time workers can receive up to NT$30,000.
The new rules shorten the required continuous employment period for eligibility from 90 days to 30 days.
The part-time wage threshold has been lowered: applicants aged 55 to 64 can apply if their monthly salary is at least one-third of the minimum wage, while those aged 65 and older need to earn at least one-fourth.
Employers who hire referred middle-aged or older workers and provide workplace accommodations can receive NT$3,000 in workplace support and counseling fees for each person employed for 30 days.
Explainer: Why do some people receive 5 months of Labor Insurance funeral benefits after a death, while others receive 10 months, despite having the same insurance? The Bureau of Labor Insurance reveals the key condition
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Ministry of Labor's Bureau of Labor Insurance clarified that Labor Insurance funeral benefits are paid at 2 rates: 5 months or 10 months. The difference depends on whether surviving family members qualify for survivor annuity benefits or the old-system survivor allowance. If no surviving family member qualifies, the person who paid the funeral expenses can claim 10 months of benefits; otherwise, only 5 months can be claimed.
Facts
When a Labor Insurance policyholder dies from an ordinary illness or injury while covered, the funeral benefit is generally 5 months. However, 10 months can be claimed if there are no surviving family members, or if none of them qualify for survivor annuity benefits or the survivor allowance.
If the deceased had an insurance coverage period before the Labor Insurance annuity system took effect on January 1, 2009, eligible statutory survivors may choose to claim the survivor allowance as a lump sum. In that case, the funeral benefit remains 5 months.
The person claiming Labor Insurance funeral benefits must be the one who actually paid the funeral expenses; eligibility is not automatic based solely on a family relationship.
Whether the funeral benefit is 5 or 10 months depends on whether surviving family members meet the legal eligibility requirements, not on whether the family actually applies for the benefit or waives the right to claim it.
The right to claim Labor Insurance funeral benefits expires if it is not exercised within 5 years from the date it becomes claimable.
What to watch after 《蘭香如故》? Netizens are recommending more than 《嫁金釵》; Xiaohongshu users strongly promote Li Yitong's melodrama 《美人余》
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
After the costume drama 《蘭香如故》 ended, viewers began looking for a new series. Although 《嫁金釵》 made Netflix's trending list, Xiaohongshu users strongly recommended 《美人余》, starring Li Yitong. The drama depicts a marriage scam among wealthy families and has become a surprise hit thanks to its many twists. It will air on WeTV.
Facts
《蘭香如故》 has reached its finale. The series stars Liu Xueyi and Tan Songyun.
《美人余》, starring Li Yitong, has been widely recommended on Xiaohongshu.
Five years after marrying, 《美人余》's protagonist Yu Meng discovers that her husband, Di Liren, and their nanny, Sister Hui, are the real married couple.
《美人余》 has 28 episodes and will begin airing on WeTV on October 9, 2026.
VIP members can watch 3 episodes of 《美人余》 on the first day, followed by 2 new episodes at 6 p.m. each evening.
《無可替代》, starring Zhao Jinmai and Wei Daxun, has finished airing.
How do you make the best tomato and egg stir-fry? Insiders add 1 ingredient before removing it from the heat for a silky, tender, sweet flavor and an instant boost of aroma that rivals a chef's cooking
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The Agriculture and Food Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture shared tips for cooking tomato and egg stir-fry on its Facebook page 《鮮享農YA》, emphasizing how ingredient choices and cooking steps affect the texture.
Facts
The Agriculture and Food Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture shared tips for making homestyle tomato and egg stir-fry on its Facebook page 《鮮享農YA》.
The Agriculture and Food Agency recommends using thick-skinned black tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes for tomato and egg stir-fry.
The ideal ratio of tomatoes to eggs in tomato and egg stir-fry is 1:3.
When making tomato and egg stir-fry, first cook the beaten eggs until half done and set them aside. Stir-fry the tomatoes, then return the eggs to the pan and stir-fry everything together.
Adding a little white sugar before removing the dish from the heat can balance the tomatoes' natural acidity and bring out a sweeter flavor.
The Agriculture and Food Agency recommends leaving the skins on the tomatoes for tomato and egg stir-fry; simply wash and cut them into pieces.
Adding a little ketchup before removing the dish from the heat can boost its sauce-like flavor and richness, giving the dish a more appetizing color.
The Ministry of National Defense added a budget of NT$145.6962 billion for weapons, ammunition and military personnel compensation, with most of the procurement involving unmanned vehicles. The article questions the rationale behind the budget and the risk of funding gaps in multiyear plans.
Facts
The Ministry of National Defense added NT$145.6962 billion to its budget.
An additional NT$67.51836 billion was allocated for general equipment.
Of the 7 new major procurement projects, 6 involve drones, unmanned boats or counter-drone systems.
The funding covers weapons and ammunition needed to enhance defensive combat capabilities, as well as increased compensation for military personnel.
Some multiyear projects received additional funding in fiscal year 115, but no follow-on funding was included in the fiscal year 116 budget.
Explainer: A father gives his son TSMC shares. Is securities transaction tax waived, but gift tax still required? See the differences in how stock sales and gifts are taxed, and understand the 3 types of documentation in 1 graphic
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 財政部臺北國稅局 reminds the public that gifting TSMC shares to children is exempt from securities transaction tax, but gift tax must still be reported as required by law, and a certificate must be obtained before the shares can be transferred. The reporting procedure cannot be skipped even if the amount is below the 2.44 million yuan tax exemption threshold, and sales between relatives without proof of actual payment will be treated as gifts and taxed.
Facts
Giving shares to someone without payment is not considered a securities transaction and is therefore exempt from securities transaction tax.
In 2026 (Republic of China year 115), the annual gift tax exemption is 2.44 million yuan per person.
Property sales between relatives within two degrees of kinship are generally treated as gifts unless proof of actual payment is provided.
The value of gifts of listed and over-the-counter shares is generally assessed based on the closing price on the date of the gift.
For ordinary investors selling listed shares, the securities transaction tax rate is 0.3% of the transaction amount and is paid by the seller.
Behind the Scenes》Army chief in 4 months: Why have both presidents Lai Ching-te and Tsai Ing-wen favored Lü Kun-hsiu?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
Army chief Lü Kun-hsiu has promoted a transformation in Army culture and equipment, shifting the Army’s image from conservative to people-friendly and earning the trust of Presidents Lai Ching-te and Tsai Ing-wen.
Facts
In recent years, Army Command Headquarters has actively pursued a transformation, emphasizing a new Army, new thinking, new training, new technology and new equipment.
M1A2T tanks and Altius-600M attack drones have been deployed for combat readiness.
The Army was once considered the most conservative and unpopular of the 3 military branches.
On skepticism about the US? From disaster relief to election kingmaker, Rubio explains a more pragmatic shift in US foreign policy: No more paying for those who hate us
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview that President Donald Trump had successfully shifted politics in the Western Hemisphere toward pro-US governments in his second term, and argued that closing USAID helped curb anti-US forces. He stressed that disaster relief had become much more efficient since the State Department took over aid, and that new Latin American leaders were more willing to work with the US.
Facts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio argues that President Donald Trump’s second term has shifted Latin American and Western Hemisphere politics toward pro-US governments.
Rubio believes that closing the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will help weaken anti-US left-wing forces.
The speed and efficiency of disaster relief have improved significantly since the State Department took direct responsibility for foreign aid.
Current US aid policy is intended to advance national interests and no longer funds anti-US organizations.
Six Charts on Wall Street | The real strategy behind the stunning Roadster debut: Musk seeks to accelerate a merger of SpaceX and 特斯拉 and seize the title of world’s most valuable company!
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
This article compiles global financial and geopolitical news, including Musk’s bid to merge SpaceX and 特斯拉, CoreWeave’s bond crisis, China’s debt exceeding 300% of GDP, a wave of museum thefts and Putin’s proposal for a US-China-Russia summit.
Facts
CFRA analyst Garrett Nelson raised 特斯拉’s price target from $385 to $475 per share following the Roadster launch event.
The bond yield of CoreWeave, a data center company backed by an investment from 輝達, surged to 15%, while its stock plunged 12% overnight.
China’s total non-financial sector credit exceeded 300% of GDP for the first time, up 60 percentage points from the end of 2019.
Since early 2025, more than 14 top museums worldwide have been ransacked, including the Louvre, where French royal jewels worth at least $101 million were stolen.
During a phone call with Trump on Oct. 9, Putin proposed a meeting with Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss Ukraine.
After the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, 戴爾電腦 founder Michael Dell saw the company’s stock fall by about 65% at its worst; now, AI is expected to drive revenue growth of 70% this year.
Companies mentioned：特斯拉、SpaceX、CFRA、輝達、CoreWeave、CBOE Global Markets、國際清算銀行、羅浮宮博物館、Art Recovery International、戴爾電腦、戴爾科技
10/20 International Morning Brief | Taiwanese woman found dead at Lake Kawaguchi hotel; Zelensky accuses Trump of pressuring Ukraine to surrender; Xi Jinping wants Trump to stop selling arms to Taiwan,
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 風傳媒
The 10/20 International Morning Brief covers developments in several countries: Zelensky accuses Trump of pressuring Ukraine to surrender, with Russian forces launching attacks without warning; Taiwan makes no headway at the Xi-Trump meeting; France imposes curfews following riots; a suspect is arrested in the killing of a Taiwanese woman in Japan; and the Philippines protests provocative remarks by the Chinese ambassador.
Facts
Putin, Trump and Xi Jinping may meet in Shenzhen next month.
Xi Jinping urged Trump to oppose Taiwan independence and stop arms sales to Taiwan, but Trump made no clear commitment.
After weekend protests in France turned into nationwide riots, the government announced partial curfews in several cities.
Since the violence erupted, 2,513 people have been arrested in France and 67 have been jailed.
Yang Min-han, a 27-year-old Taiwan-born person, was arrested in Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture on suspicion of violating firearms and sword laws.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan to protest his claim that “China could easily win if it used force.”
尖點 debuts at TPCA Show 2026, highlighting precision drilling for high-end AI server PCBs
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
尖點科技 showcased several precision drilling technologies for high-end AI server PCBs at TPCA Show 2026, highlighting its ability to integrate materials and cutting tools. It also announced record revenue for the first 8 months of 2026 and plans to raise more than 2.1 billion yuan.
Facts
At TPCA Show 2026, 尖點科技 presented several precision drilling technologies and solutions for high-end PCBs, covering 8 key areas: processing advanced materials for AI servers, micro deep-hole drilling, specialized tool design and high-performance coatings.
尖點科技 reported cumulative revenue of 4.667 billion yuan for January through August 2026, up 76.07% year over year, and after-tax net profit of 748 million yuan, with earnings per share of 5.14 yuan.
尖點科技 continues to optimize drill-bit designs and processing conditions for advanced AI server materials such as ABF, quartz glass cloth and PTFE to improve hole-wall quality and processing stability.
尖點科技 continues to invest in research and development of high-performance tool coating technologies to improve tool wear resistance and chip evacuation, maintain stable processing quality and reduce overall processing costs.
US Treasury yields hit a 20-year high! OTC bond ETFs attract funds for 10 consecutive weeks; 櫃買中心 warns investors of 3 major risks
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
A surge in US Treasury yields to a 20-year high has fueled enthusiasm for OTC bond ETFs, which have recorded net inflows for 10 consecutive weeks. 櫃買中心 issued a warning urging investors to fully understand the products and beware of 3 major risks: exchange rates, equalization reserves and interest rates. It also recommended using official information platforms to inform investment decisions.
Facts
US Treasury yields have climbed to their highest level in nearly 20 years since the end of September.
OTC bond ETFs have recorded net inflows for 10 consecutive weeks since mid-August 2026.
櫃買中心 reminds investors to watch for 3 hidden risks when investing in bond ETFs: exchange rate fluctuations, misunderstandings about equalization reserves and interest rate changes.
The vast majority of bond ETFs on the market invest primarily in US dollar-denominated bonds, so exchange rate fluctuations directly affect their price movements.
Valuation Could Top $1.4 Trillion! OpenAI Accelerates $30 Billion Fundraising Ahead of Anthropic IPO to Lock In Funding
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
OpenAI is accelerating its $30 billion fundraising effort, targeting a valuation of more than $1.4 trillion and seeking to lock in funding before Anthropic’s IPO. Both companies have enormous annual revenues, though they calculate them differently; the capital race will test market confidence in AI’s growth prospects.
Facts
OpenAI is advancing a fundraising round of about $30 billion, targeting a valuation of more than $1.4 trillion.
OpenAI hopes to secure investor commitments before rival Anthropic launches its IPO in the middle of next month.
OpenAI’s annualized revenue has reached $50 billion and is expected to rise to $70 billion by the end of this year.
Anthropic had annualized revenue of about $65 billion as of July, while its Q3 revenue rose 45% quarter over quarter to $16.8 billion.
OpenAI completed a record-breaking $122 billion funding round in March this year, reaching a valuation of $852 billion.
亞馬遜 Takes Aim at 輝達’s CUDA Moat With Open-Source Tool TorchNeuron
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
亞馬遜 has launched the open-source tool TorchNeuron, lowering the barrier for developers to switch from 輝達 chips to its own and challenging 輝達’s CUDA software moat.
Facts
亞馬遜 announced on the 19th that it was launching the open-source tool TorchNeuron.
TorchNeuron lets PyTorch code run on 亞馬遜’s proprietary AI chips without being rewritten.
Developers need to change just 1 configuration setting to run code on Trainium chips.
TorchNeuron aims to challenge the software moat 輝達 has built around CUDA.
China’s LPR Quotes Unchanged for 17th Consecutive Month
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
China’s central bank announced that the LPR had remained unchanged for 17 consecutive months, with the 1-year and 5-year-plus rates at 3.00% and 3.50%, respectively. Governor Pan Gongsheng said the authorities would work to diversify loan pricing benchmarks to improve the transmission of monetary policy.
Facts
The 1-year LPR is 3.00%, while the 5-year-plus LPR is 3.50%.
The 7-day reverse repo rate, the main policy rate, has remained unchanged for 17 consecutive months since it was cut in May 2025.
The LPR was last adjusted in May 2025, when both the 1-year and 5-year-plus rates were cut by 10 basis points.
Central bank Governor Pan Gongsheng said at the 2026 Financial Street Forum Annual Meeting that the transition of the monetary policy framework is a gradual process.
Going forward, loan interest rate pricing is expected to shift from relying solely on the LPR to using diversified pricing benchmarks.
Financial institutions have recently begun using market rates, including the interbank overnight repo rate, as pricing benchmarks for floating-rate loans.
Better-Than-Expected Deliveries Still Fail to Reassure! Tesla Bears and Bulls Split Ahead of Q3 Results; JPMorgan Cuts Target, 傑富瑞 Raises It
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Tesla is set to report its 2026 Q3 results, with estimates for both revenue and EPS down, reflecting profit pressures. Although deliveries beat expectations, analysts are divided on the outlook, and some firms have adjusted their price targets. Investors are focused on FSD subscription growth and progress on new products such as Optimus.
Facts
Tesla’s third-quarter revenue is estimated at $27.88 billion, below $28.09 billion in the same period last year.
Tesla’s third-quarter earnings per share are estimated at $0.43, below $0.50 in the same period last year.
Tesla delivered 486,532 vehicles in the third quarter, beating analysts’ estimates.
傑富瑞 raised its price target for Tesla from $350 to $400, maintaining a Hold rating.
JPMorgan cut its price target for Tesla from $445 to $415, maintaining a Neutral rating.
Tesla’s revenue has fallen short of analysts’ expectations in 6 of the past 10 quarters.
Tesla shares rose 3.8% on Monday to close at $368.06.
French Justice Minister: 2,513 Detained Since Weekend, 67 Imprisoned
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
French Justice Minister Darmanin announced on the 19th that 2,513 people had been detained nationwide and 67 imprisoned following violence sparked by weekend protests. To strengthen investigations, the cases will be treated as “organized crime,” detention will be extended to 72 hours, and wiretapping will be permitted.
Facts
French Justice Minister Darmanin said in a statement on the 19th that police had detained 2,513 people nationwide since the weekend protests.
Of those detained, 67 have been imprisoned.
The justice minister instructed that the cases be classified as “organized crime.”
Following the change in classification, the police detention period will be extended from 48 hours to 72 hours.
The new investigative measures include permitting geolocation tracking and phone tapping.
Demonstrations and protests took place in several parts of France on the 17th, with violence reported in some areas.
French President Macron condemned violence during the protests in a televised address on the evening of the 18th.
Reuters: Suspected China-Linked Hacker Used AI Agents to Break Into More Than 100 Corporate Websites
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Reuters reported that a hacker used AI agents to automatically attack more than 1,200 websites, successfully breaching more than 100 companies, including Deere and SharkNinja, highlighting a sharp rise in AI’s ability to carry out autonomous attacks.
Facts
A Chinese-speaking hacker used AI agents to attempt intrusions on more than 1,200 websites, successfully breaching more than 100 corporate websites.
The affected companies included Deere, SharkNinja, and 康明斯.
The entire operation cost about $5,000 in AI usage fees, with each successful breach costing an average of about $50.
The hacker used tools including Chinese model DeepSeek and Anthropic’s Claude Code.
Snorre Fagerland, chief threat researcher at cybersecurity firm NorForge, said he had found about 24 Cairn instances used for malicious activity since October 2.
Successful intrusions typically took about 23 hours, and the hacker needed only to describe the preferred intrusion method in fewer than 100 Chinese characters.
Israeli cybersecurity firm Gambit Security disclosed another AI-agent-driven attack in September this year, in which 25 companies were breached.
玉晶光 Expands Its Optical Communications Footprint, Teams Up With U.S. Firm 3M to Develop and Produce Beam Expansion Optics
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
玉晶光 and U.S. company 3M have signed a strategic partnership, with 3M subscribing for 玉晶光 private-placement shares worth NT$4.813 billion. The companies will jointly develop and mass-produce beam expansion optics, strengthening their positioning in the AI data center supply chain.
Facts
玉晶光 will work with U.S. company 3M to advance the research, manufacturing, and capacity expansion of expanded beam optics (EBO) solutions.
3M plans to participate in 玉晶光’s private placement of new shares, subscribing for 5,534 lots of common shares at NT$869.6 per share, for a total investment of up to NT$4.813 billion.
Through its participation in the private placement, 3M will acquire about 4.68% of 玉晶光.
玉晶光’s production team will support 3M with mass-production preparations for EBO ferrules, co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions, and related optical interconnect modules.
世芯-KY announced that 亞馬遜 is the participant in its private placement. 亞馬遜 will invest NT$530 million to subscribe for 224,537 shares of 世芯-KY, representing 0.28% of its share capital.
金像電 will issue about 1,856 lots of private-placement shares at NT$856 per share, raising about NT$1.589 billion; customer 亞馬遜 is participating in the placement.
桂盟 plans to raise cash through a private placement of 4.5 million common shares, bringing in drivetrain giant SHIMANO as a strategic investor.
仁新 Subsidiary Belite Approved to Uplist to Nasdaq Global Select Market, Could Join NBI Biotechnology Index
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
仁新 said its subsidiary Belite has been approved to move directly from the Nasdaq Capital Market to the Global Select Market, effective October 19. The move makes Belite eligible to seek inclusion in the NBI index and highlights its strengthened financial position and market capitalization exceeding $6 billion.
Facts
仁新 said its subsidiary Belite has received Nasdaq approval to move directly from the Capital Market to the Global Select Market.
Belite’s uplisting takes effect at the market open on October 19, Eastern Time.
Belite became eligible for consideration for inclusion in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (NBI) after moving up to the Global Select Market.
Belite's market capitalization has surpassed $6 billion since its listing in April 2022.
Belite's share price once hit a record high of $200 per share.
〈Cathay Financial Survey〉 October Business Outlook and Wage Expectations Continue to Rise; Taiwan Stock Market Optimism Index Also Hits a New High
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
國泰金控's October 2026 survey found that the public's business optimism index and wage expectations hit record highs, reflecting strong optimism about economic growth and stock market performance.
Facts
國泰金控 released the results of its October 2026 National Economic Confidence Survey, showing that the public's business outlook optimism index and wage expectations index hit record highs.
A total of 55% of respondents expect economic growth in 2026 to exceed 11%, with an average expectation of 10.94%.
The wage expectations index hit a record high of 25.3, while the willingness-to-make-large-purchases index rose to 19.1.
As many as 52% of respondents believe the inflation rate in 2026 will exceed 2.5%.
The public's optimism index for Taiwan stocks rose to 55.0, hitting another record high.
Do US stocks always rise after midterm elections? Historical data show the S&P 500 has a "100% win rate" over these 6 months, with the strongest tailwinds potentially ahead
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
MarketWatch columnist Mark Hulbert noted that US stocks have historically risen in the six months following midterm elections, with a 100% win rate. The analysis identifies the easing of political uncertainty as the main driver. Despite seasonal headwinds and policy uncertainties in Washington, stocks are expected to perform well once uncertainty clears.
Facts
Since 1957, the S&P 500 has never fallen in the six months following a midterm election.
In the six months following midterm elections, US stocks have performed markedly better than during the same period in the other three years of a presidential term.
The US Economic Policy Uncertainty Index is typically especially high in the months before midterm elections and falls to a relatively low level afterward.
Even when stocks perform strongly in the six months before midterm elections, the historical probability of positive returns afterward does not decline.
The S&P 500's performance since April 30 this year has been above average.
At least 3,000 shops looted in France; partial curfews imposed in Paris and other cities
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Riots erupted in several parts of France after violent protests on the 17th, prompting partial curfews from the 19th to the 20th. The government reported that at least 3,000 shops were looted nationwide. Protest attendance was estimated at hundreds of thousands, and opposition groups plan to stage another protest in late October or early November.
Facts
Paris and several other French cities imposed partial curfews from the night of the 19th into the early hours of the 20th to prevent a recurrence of unrest.
At least 3,000 shops were looted across France.
The French government estimated that about 550,000 people took part in the protests on the 17th, while organizers put the figure at 800,000.
Some unions and student organizations set November 5 as the date for the next nationwide protest.
Serious looting and arson took place at Place de la République in Paris and the Les Halles shopping center.
The curfews in Lille and Nice apply only to minors.
Huang Renxun takes the stage Wednesday! Five key themes at Nvidia GTC revealed: Could it be the key to an AI stock comeback?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Nvidia will hold its GTC conference in Berlin in October 2026, where CEO Jensen Huang will deliver a speech. As AI investment faces a stress test, the conference will focus on five areas: sovereign AI, enterprise AI, AI-native companies, AI safety, AI factories, and physical AI, exploring the expansion of AI infrastructure demand and pathways to commercial validation.
Facts
Nvidia GTC Berlin 2026 will be held in Berlin, Germany, from October 20 to 22 local time.
Original輝達CEO黃仁勳將於台灣時間10月21日17:00至19:00發表主題演講。
The GTC conference agenda covers sovereign AI and enterprise AI, AI-native companies, AI safety, AI factories, and physical AI.
Speakers in the sovereign AI and enterprise AI session include 達梭系統 CEO Pascal Daloz, 德國電信 CEO Tim Höttges, and Mistral AI CEO Arthur Mensch.
Speakers in the physical AI session include 陳兆鵬 of Agile Robots, Arthur Kaindl of 西門子醫療, 賓士 CEO Ola Källenius, and Artem Sokolov of Humanoid.
Featured speakers on AI factories include Frédéric Godemel of 施耐德電氣, Siko Rashid of Brookfield, and NEBIUS founder and CEO Arkady Volozh.
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz, Hugging Face founder Thomas Wolf, and Chris Wright of Red Hat will take part in a discussion on AI safety and enterprise deployment.
Israeli prime minister orders overthrow of Iranian regime
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military and intelligence agencies to overthrow the Iranian regime, with US President Donald Trump backing the move to eliminate an existential threat. Iran also warned about the security of undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz. While the claim was accused of exaggerating the global impact, it added to uncertainty over communications in the Middle East.
Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the overthrow of the Iranian regime on the evening of the 19th.
US President Donald Trump said the existential threat Iran poses to Israel should be eliminated once and for all.
Mohbe, a spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that 7 major cables run beneath the Strait of Hormuz.
Damage to undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz would mainly affect communications in Persian Gulf countries.
Damage to undersea cables would have a limited impact on data transmission between Europe and Asia.
Broadcom CEO warns: AI investors are betting like they're in a casino! Funding shortfalls could become the industry's biggest bottleneck
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Broadcom CEO Hock Tan warned that funding shortfalls could become the biggest bottleneck for the AI industry and that investors face high risks from betting blindly. Although Broadcom's revenue has surged, OpenAI continues to post losses and returns on enterprise AI remain unclear, highlighting the gap between industry demand and profitability.
Facts
Broadcom's AI semiconductor business has generated about $68 billion in cumulative revenue since late 2023.
Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue reached $16.7 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, up more than 2 times year over year.
OpenAI's annualized revenue reportedly reached $50 billion as of the end of September, but the company remains unprofitable.
OpenAI expects to spend more than $25 billion on model training alone this year.
Australian data center operator Firmus withdrew its IPO plan on October 9 amid weak investor demand.
A 麥肯錫 survey found that only 37% of respondents said AI had made a positive contribution to their organization's earnings before interest and taxes.
Key US stock market news summary for October 20, 2026
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
A US stock market news summary for October 20, 2026, said chip stocks rebounded after ending their worst losing streak in 20 years, while 標普全球 warned of hidden AI debt risks at tech giants. 蘋果's market value topped $5 trillion, but the company faces the risk of weak device replacement demand and announced that it will unveil its first touchscreen MacBook on October 28.
Facts
The chip industry ended its worst losing streak in more than 20 years on Monday (the 19th), and tech stocks rebounded after the market opened that Monday.
標普全球 warned that AI-related debt and potential liabilities at major global technology companies may be larger than currently understood.
KeyBanc assigned 蘋果 a $250 price target, about 27% below Friday's closing price, warning that replacement demand could be dampened.
蘋果 announced that it will hold a product launch event in Los Angeles on October 28, with the theme "Pro and tell".
Palantir and Datadog shares both rose more than 4%, while Snowflake also advanced.
美光科技 shares have recently performed poorly, but investors decided to buy the dip on Monday (the 19th), halting the decline and lifting the stock nearly 3%.
Taking a cue from Musk? Barron's names Buffett: He should consider giving Berkshire shares to all US children
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Elon Musk's announcement that he would give SpaceX shares to American children drew attention. 巴隆週刊 suggested that Buffett and tech titans follow suit by giving away Berkshire shares, addressing estate-giving issues and promoting financial education.
Facts
Musk announced that he would distribute about 1% of his SpaceX stake among nearly 70 million children under 18 across the US.
巴隆週刊 analysis suggests that Buffett give every child in the United States 1 share of Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock, at an estimated cost of about $37 billion.
Buffett currently holds about $150 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock and has required his children to donate all of it by 2034.
If Buffett carries out the stock-gifting plan, each child would receive assets worth about $532.
The market expects Berkshire Hathaway stock to achieve a compound annual growth rate of nearly 10% over the next decade.
Revenue Flash - Taiwan's Largest Companies: September Revenue Roundup, Oct. 20, 2026 (12 new companies added)
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
September revenue figures for Taiwan's largest companies were released on Oct. 20, 2026, with a total of 243 companies with capital of at least 5 billion participating. Financial firms such as 元大金 and 兆豐金 posted strong year-over-year growth, while building materials company 潤隆 recorded a remarkable year-over-year increase.
Facts
As of 07:55 Taipei time on Oct. 20, 2026, a total of 243 large companies with capital of >=5 billion had released September revenue reports.
The top 3 companies for September revenue growth, in order, were 元大金, 兆豐金 and 中信金.
Among companies that have released September revenue figures, 92 posted year-over-year revenue growth of more than 25%.
Has the AI Trading Honeymoon Ended? 美光 and 輝達 Lead the Recovery as Major Earnings Reports Test Confidence This Week
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
After nearly 2 weeks of selling pressure, chip stocks rebounded on Monday, but the market remains skeptical about the sustainability of AI spending. As the 3rd-quarter earnings season gets underway, results from tech giants such as Meta and 特斯拉 will be a watershed for bulls and bears. Investors are shifting their focus to companies with tangible profits and innovative capabilities, and the AI trading honeymoon may be over.
Facts
輝達 (NVDA-US) rose 1.4% on Monday, while rival 超微 (AMD-US) gained about 1.8%.
So far, 85% of the 47 S&P 500 constituent companies that have reported 3rd-quarter earnings have posted profits above market expectations.
Fees charged by data center operators for externally provided computing capacity are at unusually high levels, with annualized returns over a 5-year period reaching 45% to 85%.
Original微軟(MSFT-US)據傳決定不再與英國新雲端業者Nscale Global Holdings(NSCL-US)旗下資料中心洽談算力採購協議，原因是電力供應面臨挑戰。
Nebius Group (NBIS-US), a cloud startup providing AI computing services, also rebounded 2.9%.
SanDisk (SNDK-US) rebounded 5.5%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX-US) gained 1.7%.
美光 and 英特爾 (INTC-US), which have benefited from AI demand this year, have gained about 3% and 2.4%, respectively.
SK Hynix Expands Its NAND Footprint in China: Could Its New U.S. Plant Plan Become a Bargaining Chip?
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
Reuters reported that SK Hynix subsidiary Solidigm is seeking U.S. permission to export equipment to its Dalian plant in China, using this as a bargaining chip in negotiations to build a plant in the United States. The U.S. Commerce Department issued a permit for 2026 but limited the quantity, and did not approve a permit for expansion in 2027.
Facts
Solidigm, SK Hynix's U.S. subsidiary, is seeking approval from the U.S. government to export U.S.-made chip production equipment to China.
Solidigm is linking the granting of a U.S. export license to its plan to build a new NAND factory in the United States, as a bargaining chip.
Last year, the U.S. Commerce Department revoked authorizations previously granted to SK Hynix and Samsung, calling them a “Biden-era loophole.”
Global NAND prices have risen sevenfold since mid-2023.
Solidigm is evaluating an IPO as soon as next year to raise funds to help finance its U.S. factory.
輝達's Berlin GTC Conference Is About to Begin! Five Key Things to Watch, Including Jensen Huang's Speech and Industrial AI
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
輝達 will hold its GTC conference in Berlin, where Jensen Huang will deliver a keynote and announce investments in German startups to strengthen its AI presence in Europe.
Facts
輝達's Berlin GTC conference will be held from Oct. 20 to 22 local time.
Jensen Huang will deliver a keynote at Tempodrom in Berlin at 11 a.m. on the 21st, German time.
Germany's Economy Ministry has signed a memorandum of cooperation with 輝達 to promote the adoption of AI in industry.
輝達 announced investments in German startups Agile Robots, Avelios Medical, Mirelo and Reflex Aerospace.
Original這些投資屬於輝達對歐洲科技生態系近 100 億美元承諾的一環。
The GTC conference features more than 100 sessions covering accelerated computing, open models, robotics and physical AI.
AI Stocks Rebound! 英特爾 Rises More Than 2% as Chip Stocks End Their Worst Losing Streak in 20 Years
Published ・ Source Taiwan | 鉅亨網
The chip sector ended its worst losing streak in 20 years, with 英特爾, AMD and Nvidia among the stocks rebounding on Monday. IG analysts said sentiment had turned more optimistic, viewing the move as healthy fund rotation, but CoreWe's decline showed that AI debt risks remain a concern.
Facts
The chip sector ended its most severe losing streak in more than 20 years on Monday (the 19th).
英特爾 shares closed up 2.4% at $92.03 per share.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX-US) ended its longest losing streak since May 2006.
AMD shares closed up 1.8% at $536.05 per share.
美光科技 shares closed up nearly 3% at $904.90 per share.
Nvidia shares closed up 1.4% at $217.09 per share.
CoreWeave shares ultimately closed down 0.5% at $61.12 per share.
【アライアンス・バーンスタイン株式会社】Annual Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trust)—10th Fiscal Period (2026/01/21–2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
アライアンス・バーンスタイン株式会社 filed an annual securities report for its 10th fiscal period on October 20, 2026. Revenue and net assets declined from the previous period.
Facts
The return for the 10th specified period was 2.6%.
【アライアンス・バーンスタイン株式会社】Annual Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trust)—56th Fiscal Period (2026/01/21–2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
アライアンス・バーンスタイン株式会社 filed an annual securities report for its 56th fiscal period. Operating revenue and net income declined from the previous period, and total assets also contracted.
Facts
Operating revenue for the 56th fiscal period was ¥288,648,320.
Net income for the period was ¥209,203,381.
Total assets at the end of the period were ¥9,348,527,764.
The current assets of the parent investment trust beneficiary certificates declined from the end of the previous period to the end of the current period.
The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equities from countries around the world.
【ゴールドマン・サックス・アセット・マネジメント株式会社】Annual Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trust)—2nd Fiscal Period (2026/01/21–2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Goldman Sachs Asset Management filed a report for its 2nd fiscal period. Net assets expanded to about 4 times their previous size, and the return was 10.3%.
Facts
ゴールドマン・サックス・アセット・マネジメント株式会社 filed an annual securities report on October 20, 2026.
Total net assets for the 2nd fiscal period were ¥19,632,555,751.
The return for the 2nd specified period was 10.3%.
The fund aims to invest in equities in developed countries excluding the United States and achieve long-term growth in its trust assets.
【ゴールドマン・サックス・アセット・マネジメント株式会社】Annual Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trust)—8th Fiscal Period (2026/01/21–2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
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Facts
Goldman Sachs Asset Management filed a securities report on October 20, 2026.
Total assets at the end of the period were 958,102,827 yen.
Operating revenue for the period was 70,174,370 yen.
Net income for the period was 61,512,579 yen.
The fund invests in real estate- and infrastructure-related equities and real estate investment trusts worldwide, including in Japan, primarily through investments in investment trust securities.
【アモーヴァ・アセットマネジメント株式会社】Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trusts)－19th period (2026/01/21－2026/07/20)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Amova Asset Management filed its securities report for the 19th period (2026/01/21-2026/07/20). Total assets and net assets declined, and the company posted an operating loss.
Facts
アモーヴァ・アセットマネジメント株式会社 filed its securities report for the 19th period on October 20, 2026.
The fund held short positions in Singapore dollars through forward exchange contracts.
【野村アセットマネジメント株式会社】Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trusts)－39th period (2026/01/21－2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Nomura Asset Management filed its 39th-period securities report for beneficiary certificates of domestic investment trusts. Net assets at the end of the period rose to approximately 26.28 billion yen, and net income for the period was approximately 2.04 billion yen.
Facts
Nomura Asset Management filed a securities report (39th period) for beneficiary certificates of domestic investment trusts.
Net assets at the end of the period (as of July 21, 2026) were 26,282,379,162 yen.
Operating revenue for the period was 2,251,305,907 yen.
The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equities in Japan, developed countries and emerging countries, as well as bonds issued by major countries.
As of August 31, 2026, the number of units issued was 14,397,508,364.
【ニッセイアセットマネジメント株式会社】Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trusts)－26th period (2026/01/21－2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Nissay Asset Management filed its 26th-period report for beneficiary certificates of domestic investment trusts. Assets and operating income increased, strengthening its financial base.
Facts
Total assets at the end of the period were 6,012,308,123 yen.
Operating income for the period was 855,346,855 yen.
Net assets at the end of the period were 5,987,382,617 yen.
The trust principal limit is 500 billion yen for each fund.
【三菱ＵＦＪアセットマネジメント株式会社】Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trusts)－32nd period (2026/01/21－2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management filed its 32nd-period securities report for beneficiary certificates of domestic investment trusts. Assets and net assets declined, and the company posted an operating loss.
Facts
三菱ＵＦＪアセットマネジメント株式会社 filed an annual securities report.
Total assets for the 32nd period were 3,398,421,672 yen.
The operating loss for the 32nd period was 43,875,434 yen.
【野村アセットマネジメント株式会社】Securities Report (Beneficiary Certificates of Domestic Investment Trusts)－21st period (2026/01/22－2026/07/21)
Published ・ Source Japan | EDINET 金融庁開示
Nomura Asset Management filed a securities report (21st period) for beneficiary certificates of domestic investment trusts. Net assets at the end of the period were approximately 3,238.42 million yen, and operating income was approximately 92.94 million yen.
Facts
Nomura Asset Management filed a securities report.
Net assets at the end of the period were 3,238,423,338 yen.
Operating income for the period was 92,936,979 yen.
The fund is managed using a fund-of-funds structure, with the “Nomura World Balance Strategy Master Fund” as its underlying investment trust.
The trust money limit for beneficiary rights is 500 billion yen.