Taiwan Fund Managers Quit Jobs to Invest Their Own Money Amid Market Rally
In 2026, Taiwan's benchmark stock index surged by 62%, the best performance globally, prompting some professional fund managers and analysts in the country to leave their jobs. These professionals are choosing to invest directly using their own money due to strict regulations that prevent them from trading stocks they recommend for clients. In a market where many stocks have more than doubled this year, several individuals feel it is no longer worth adhering to these restrictions. Regulations in Taiwan's asset management industry prohibit staff from trading locally listed stocks or related derivatives within seven business days of their firm’s trades and require them to lock away personal devices until the end of each market day. These rules were tightened after a 2024 scandal involving insider trading by former fund managers. Some professionals are now moving to private investment firms that operate outside these constraints, offering higher pay and more flexibility. The stock rally has been driven largely by growth in AI hardware supply chains, with companies like TSMC reporting significant revenue increases. This trend is also boosting chip packaging and testing firms such as ASE Technology.
Tickers: $ASX $EWT $TSM $TWN $UMC
Topics: fund manager behavior insider trading regulations stock trading Taiwan stock market