Countdown to FOMC Decision, Focus on Walsh's Remarks
The U.S. Federal Reserve interest-rate decision is in the spotlight and is scheduled to be announced at 29日凌晨2時 Taiwan time, with Chair Walsh's remarks also a key market focus. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the market sees a 90.6% chance of a hold. The tone of Walsh at the post-meeting press conference and the subsequent dot plot will be the main highlights of this FOMC.
Strong Memory Earnings as SK Hynix Leads South Korean Rebound
South Korean memory giant SK Hynix reported third-quarter earnings, with revenue reached NT$2.77 trillion, up 327% year on year, far above market expectations, and disclosed it has signed long-term contracts with more than 14 major customers. The report injected momentum into the memory theme, with South Korean stocks rebounding sharply, while fellow electronic-component maker Samsung also advanced. After the close, Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet will report earnings, both members of the Magnificent Seven U.S. stocks.
UMC Briefing Releases Outlook, Raises Capital Expenditure
Taiwan's No. 2 foundry UMC held its earnings call on the 28th, posting 2026 third-quarter consolidated revenue of NT$742.4 billion, up 25.6% year on year, with a third-quarter gross margin of 34.0%, as demand across end markets remained solid. The board added US$3.2 billion to its capital expenditure budget to expand silicon photonics, advanced packaging and others. CEO Wang Shi gave a fourth-quarter outlook, expecting demand momentum to continue, with advanced packaging and silicon photonics businesses gradually ramping and specialty-process revenue continuing to grow. Both UMC and SK Hynix have ADRs to watch in the U.S. market.
U.S. Stocks Open Higher Together, Taiwan Index Futures Hold 47K in Night Trading
On the 28th, all four major U.S. indexes once rose at the open. As of press time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 34.01 points or 0.06%, the S&P 500 rose 19.58 points or 0.25%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 91.75 points or 0.35%, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 102.56 points or 0.89%. Among individual stocks, UMC ADR fell US$0.46 or 2.36%, SK Hynix ADR rose US$14.71 or 10.12%, Microsoft fell US$1.12 or 0.21%, and Alphabet rose US$3.79 or 1.20%. In addition, Taiwan index futures in night trading fell 114.00 points, quoted at 47135 as of 21時38分, with an intraday high of 47382 and low of 47092. Figures are updated as of press time; stock prices are subject to actual quotes.