The TAIEX, Taiwan’s benchmark stock index, surged 880 points, or 2.1%, to 42,019 in Thursday morning trade, gaining for a fourth straight session as optimism over AI infrastructure demand continued to lift sentiment. The broader index hit a record high for the fourth consecutive session and surpassed the 42,000 mark for the first time, after closing above the 41,000-point mark for the first time at 41,139 on Wednesday. The index tracked a rally on Wall Street overnight amid hopes of US-Iran peace talks, along with solid earnings in AI stocks. Electronic technology continued to be the main driver of the index, which rose 2.6%, with notable gains from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which accounts for more than 40% of total market value, and surged 3.1%. Other top movers included Delta Electronics (6.3%), Unimicron Technology Corp. (4.8%), and ASE Technology Holding (4.4%).