TWSE-listed firms report highest-ever sales as AI boosts tech sector

Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) Companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), the local main board, posted their highest-ever combined sales in 2025 led by the tech sector, in the wake of global demand for artificial intelligence applications, the TWSE said Tuesday.

In a statement, the TWSE said 974 Taiwan-registered companies and an additional 89 that were incorporated overseas but launched a primary listing in the country, generated NT$47.63 trillion (US$1.50 trillion) in combined sales in 2025, up 13.82 percent from a year earlier.

Among the 1,063 listed companies, 555 reported an increase in sales with the remaining 508 suffering a decline in 2025.

The TWSE said the computer and peripheral industry benefited from robust demand for AI servers, reporting NT$10.68 trillion in aggregate revenue in 2025, up 35.76 percent from a year earlier.

Also riding the AI boom, semiconductor/related equipment industry reported NT$6.596 trillion in combined sales in 2025, up 21.04 percent from 2024, the exchange said.

Bucking the uptrend, the plastics industry posted NT$941.6 billion in sales in 2025, down 11.80 percent from a year earlier as demand remained weak and competition escalated, while the shipping industry felt the pinch from a fall in global trade caused by U.S. tariff polices and a decline in shipping fares so its combined sales dropped 9.88 percent to NT$1.43 trillion, the exchange added.

In December alone, the 1,063 listed companies reported NT$4.64 trillion in combined sales, up 21 percent from a year earlier with 552 enjoying an increase in sales and 511 suffering a drop, the TWSE said.

Among major industries, the computer and peripheral industry reported the highest growth of 53.16 percent in combined revenue which totaled NT$1.12 trillion in December due to the AI boom, while the plastics industry reported the steepest decline of 13.57 percent in sales which reached NT$76.4 billion on weak demand, the exchange said.

On the over-the-counter (OTC) market, 527 firms reported an increase in aggregate sales in 2025 with 347 reporting a decline, according to the Taipei Exchange (TPEx).

The 874 OTC-listed firms generated NT$3.03 trillion in combined sales in 2025, up 8 percent from a year earlier with the semiconductor industry leading growth, reporting NT$632.8 billion in aggregate sales, up 10 percent, on AI support, the TPEx said.

However, the building materials industry reported the steepest decline of 11 percent in sales which totaled NT$88.4 billion in 2025, the TPEx added.