Taiwan stocks had their worst day in one month on Tuesday, joining regional bourses in a retreat from risk, with concerns lingering that Japan's massive earthquake will hit the electronics supply chain. The main TAIEX index dropped 1.66 percent or 147.68 points to 8,732.59, the biggest percentage slump since the quake in Japan in mid-March.
All but the tourism sector ended lower, led by electronics and automobiles, both sinking over 2 percent. Tourism shares closed up 1.28 percent, buoyed by hopes of big profits when Taiwan allows individual mainland Chinese tourists in from as early as June. The Taiwan dollar weakened by T$0.137 to T$29.129. Foreign investors were net buyers on Monday, bringing their total purchase to T$51.7 billion so far this month.