The TAIEX, Taiwan’s benchmark stock index, rose 170 points, or 0.4%, to 40,939 on Wednesday morning trade, gaining for a third straight session as optimism over AI infrastructure demand continued to lift sentiment. The broader index hit a record high for the third consecutive session, tracking a rally on Wall Street overnight, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also reached record highs, supported by solid earnings reports and lower oil prices. The index surpassed the 40,000 level for the third straight day, mainly supported by gains in financials, electronics, and technology services. Among the top movers were MediaTek (4.4%), Hon Hai Precision Industry (3.8%), Fubon Financial Holdings (1.5%), and Delta Electronics (0.9%). Meanwhile, Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which accounts for more than 40% of the total market value, rose 0.2%.