The Ministry of Economic Affairs said on the 20th that September export orders set a monthly record of US$114.2 billion. The same day Taiwan's stock index fell 1.13%, and Brent crude rose above US$110 overnight, complicating the balance between energy costs and AI demand.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported on the 20th that September export orders came to US$114.21 billion, a record for any single month and up 62.4% from a year earlier. Central News Agency and the Economic Daily News reported it was the 20th straight monthly gain, with January-September orders of US$819.2 billion (up 56%) already above all of last year's total.
광고 문의 · 300×250By product, AI applications lifted information and communications products and electronics. Information and communications orders were US$43.88 billion (up 87.3%), electronics US$47.42 billion (up 71%), and optical instruments fell 5.6% on weak panel demand.
The ministry's outlook and caveats
The ministry said AI demand is stronger than expected, and that stocking of consumer products such as phones and laptops also helped September. It forecast October orders at US$112.5-115.9 billion (up 62-67%), expects the fourth quarter to beat the third, and sees the full year above US$1.1 trillion but short of US$1.2 trillion.
It also flagged uncertainties: it is hard to tell whether consumer orders reflect volume or price, this year's phone product mix could shift the timing of stocking, and how long the AI momentum lasts is difficult to judge. Geopolitical tension and trade policy uncertainty were also cited as risks.
Oil and the stock market
That day the TAIEX closed down 529.15 points (1.13%) at 46,292.93, with foreign investors net selling about NT$79.5 billion. United Daily News said the New Taiwan dollar closed at 32.617 per US dollar, its weakest since mid-April last year.
Later, Brent December futures rose above US$110 for the first time since May, and Taiwan's night-session index futures briefly fell below the quarterly line at 46,230. United Daily News attributed the rise to reports of Houthi attacks on Saudi oil fields and airports, while its U.S. market report said Iran stepped up attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, so accounts differ by outlet. On Wall Street, worries over AI infrastructure spending and higher oil pushed the Philadelphia semiconductor index down 1.6%.
The net effect of strong exports and rising oil on Taiwan's economy is hard to judge. Heavily dependent on imported energy, Taiwan faces cost pressure, but the reports offer no quantified estimate. Markets are now watching big U.S. tech earnings starting on the 21st.