Taiwan Stocks Plunge Over 2800 Points, But Telecoms Quickly Fill Dividends

Taiwan's stock market plunged dramatically on July 17, 2026, with the benchmark index shedding over 2800 points in a single day. The sell-off was particularly sharp for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, whose shares dropped by NT$160. This significant market decline occurred against a backdrop of broader economic uncertainties.

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Taiwan Mobile completed its dividend ex-rights trading today, setting a record for the fastest in recent years.

Amidst this widespread market turmoil, Taiwan Mobile (3045) achieved a notable feat by completing its dividend ex-rights trading on the same day it went ex-dividend. This rapid "filling of the dividend" is reportedly the fastest in recent years for the company. Taiwan Mobile had declared a cash dividend of NT$4.744 per share, its highest since 2019, offering a yield exceeding 4%.

Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone, the other two major players in Taiwan's telecommunications sector, also successfully completed their dividend ex-rights trading. Chunghwa Telecom, paying NT$5.2 per share, and Far EasTone, distributing NT$3.809281 per share, both saw their stock prices recover to surpass their pre-ex-dividend levels within days of the trading ex-dividend.

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The three major telecom companies all completed their dividend ex-rights trading today.

Market observers attribute the resilience of these telecom stocks to their perceived status as a safe haven. As investors seek stability during periods of market volatility, funds are reportedly flowing into the telecommunications sector, allowing these companies to absorb the dividend payouts and maintain or even increase their share prices. This trend highlights a flight to quality within the Taiwanese stock market.

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Amidst the volatility of the Taiwanese stock market, market funds have all shifted to the telecom stocks, which are a safe haven for funds, allowing the three major telecom companies to successfully complete their dividend ex-rights trading.