Group 1 - Companies in Taiwan are facing increasing pressure due to rising exchange rates, order fluctuations, and tariff issues, leading to labor costs being passed down to frontline workers [1] - A specific company in Taichung, affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and U.S. tariff wars, has shifted from aiming for an IPO to being acquired due to the adverse impacts of currency appreciation [1] - The Taiwanese government is preparing a budget of NT$93 billion to support industries and stabilize the job market amid the tariff impacts on small and medium-sized enterprises [3] Group 2 - As of mid-July, 179 companies in Taiwan have implemented reduced work hours or unpaid leave, affecting 3,196 workers, marking a six-month high [2] - The uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs has led to 5% of surveyed companies reporting layoffs, while 25% have paused hiring plans [2] - The consumer confidence index in Taiwan has slightly increased to 64.38 points, ending a nine-month decline, although the overall economic outlook remains cautious [3][4]

Group 1 - The New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) has strengthened against the US Dollar, breaking the psychological barrier of 30 NTD per USD, with less than 1% remaining to reach a nearly 30-year high [1][3] - The appreciation of the NTD is attributed to multiple factors including a weakening US Dollar index, trade policy negotiations, and a shift in Taiwan's monetary policy [1][3] - Year-to-date, the NTD has appreciated by 9.8%, leading among emerging market currencies in Asia, with current trading around 29.84 NTD per USD [3] Group 2 - Taiwan's central bank has indicated a policy shift, stating it will not adhere to a specific exchange rate level, allowing for a strategic appreciation of the NTD [4] - Analysts suggest that if the US Dollar index falls below the technical support level of 104, the NTD could challenge the 29.5 NTD per USD range, although caution is advised regarding potential counter-cyclical adjustments by Taiwan's monetary authorities [4] - Market participants are closely monitoring the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and Taiwan's semiconductor export data, as these factors may influence future exchange rate movements [4]

Core Viewpoint - The New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) has appreciated over 3% against the US Dollar, surpassing the 31 mark, reaching its highest level since January 2024 [1] Group 1 - The NTD's rise indicates a strengthening of the currency, reflecting positive economic sentiment [1] - The appreciation of the NTD may impact export competitiveness for Taiwanese companies [1] - The currency movement could influence foreign investment flows into Taiwan [1]