Taiwan's stock market rose 214.39 points, or 0.48%, on the 20th to close at 44,933.74, with turnover reaching NT$793 billion (approximately $24.9 billion). The three major institutional investor groups posted combined net selling of NT$3.53 billion (approximately $110.8 million), although foreign investors bought a net NT$3.78 billion (approximately $118.7 million), while proprietary traders sold NT$6.21 billion (approximately $194.9 million) and domestic investment trusts sold NT$1.21 billion (approximately $38.0 million). Shipping stocks led the session as the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index rose 2.41% week-over-week to 3,555.24, its third consecutive weekly increase. Far East-to-US East Coast rates exceeded $9,500 per FEU and were 234% above the same period last year. Evergreen Marine rose 2.29% to NT$246, Wan Hai Lines surged 6.57% to NT$113.5 and Yang Ming Marine advanced 2.2% to NT$60.3. TSMC gained 1.06% to NT$2,375, while Wisdom Marine reached a four-year high after rising 3.16% to NT$94.7. Central Reinsurance hit the daily limit at NT$44.20 after reporting record first-half EPS of NT$7.91. Analysts urged investors to prioritize volume, fundamentals and geopolitical developments rather than chase lagging stocks, warning that any US-Iran de-escalation could weaken freight rates and shipping shares.