Taiwan stocks fall

Taiwan stocks fell on Tuesday, reversing early gains on profit-taking although losses were checked by data showing export orders in January grew for a sixth consecutive month. Overall trading was muted with lack of cues from US markets, which were shut on Monday for the Presidents Day. As of 0312 GMT, the main TAIEX index was down 0.2 percent at 9,734.54 after closing 0.3 percent lower in the previous session. The electronics subindex fell 0.3 percent, while the financials subindex declined 0.1 percent. The Taiwan dollar softened T$0.033 to T$30.837 per US dollar.