Taiwan's main stock index slipped as trading dried up, a mildly negative day for investors but not a broad sell-off.

• The Taiex fell slightly after drifting all day with no lead from U.S. markets, which were shut for Labor Day.
• TSMC held up and closed higher, cushioning the fall since it makes up over 40% of the market's value.
• Selling was heavier outside chips, with Hon Hai, Quanta, Delta and Yageo all dropping as AI server and components names took profits.
• Memory chip makers Nanya and Winbond jumped on a global shortage, and money rotated into food and financial stocks as safer bets.
• Foreign institutions were still net buyers, and trading volume shrank as investors stayed on the sidelines.

Outlook: With the index near its June record high, expect bigger swings up and down in the days ahead.