The Taiwan Weighted Index opened 118.05 points higher on Wednesday, May 20, a gain of 0.29%, at 40,293.61 points.

G7 FINANCE MINISTERS' STATEMENT: ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY HAS HEIGHTENED RISKS TO GROWTH AND TO INFLATION AMID THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Energy 1. Trump: Further measures may be taken to lower gasoline prices. 2. According to Kyodo News: The Japanese government plans to postpone summer electricity-saving requirements. 3. Malaysian petroleum product exports surged 70.2% year-on-year to RM14.47 billion in April. 4. Sources: India plans to send oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to resume Middle Eastern energy imports. 5. Data shows: Russian seaborne petroleum product exports increased by 10% month-on-month from May 1st to 15th. 6. Chairman of the Japan Petroleum Association: Seven very large crude carriers (VLCCs) are currently transporting crude oil purchased by Japan in the Gulf. 7. According to the Wall Street Journal: Three US officials said the US seized an oil tanker linked to Iran in the Indian Ocean. 8. Before Trump postponed the strike on Iran in March, crude oil futures fluctuated, prompting the CFTC to launch an investigation, reportedly targeting at least three companies. 9. Bharat Petroleum Corporation of India: In the March quarter, the proportion of Russian oil processing increased to 31%, compared to 25% in the December quarter. 10. The South Korean oil tanker UNIVERSAL WINNER, carrying 2 million barrels of Kuwaiti crude oil, departed the Strait of Hormuz for Ulsan, South Korea. 11. ConocoPhillips executives stated that the Qatar LNG joint venture project in Northfield East and Northfield South may be delayed by months rather than years. 12. Citigroup expects Brent crude oil to rise to $120 per barrel in the near term; the bullish scenario is Brent crude oil prices reaching $150 per barrel. 13. A spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that, according to international law, no country adjacent to a natural strait may obstruct passage. Currently, there are no special arrangements for the export of energy products. 14. An executive of Indian Oil Corporation stated that the company has diversified its LNG imports to include Nigeria, Oman, and Indonesia; its refineries are operating at full capacity, and its crude oil inventory exceeds one month's supply. Precious Metals and Mining 1. G7 Finance Ministers' Statement: Reaffirming the intention to deepen and expand cooperation in key mineral supply chains. 2. Chilean Copper Commission: Chilean copper production is projected to decline by 2% in 2026 and increase by 4% in 2027. 3. Shanghai Futures Exchange: The sudden fluctuation in gold futures prices on the evening of the 19th was due to a client's large sell order being fully executed. 4. Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has taken strict measures against mining companies that have not completed administrative compliance procedures. 5. Ministry of Commerce: The Chinese government implements export controls on key minerals such as rare earths in accordance with laws and regulations, and reviews compliant, civilian-use permit applications. Agriculture 1. Indonesian President: The main plan is to achieve food self-sufficiency. 2. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs held a video conference to deploy comprehensive regulation of pig production capacity: to consolidate the upward trend in pig prices and promote pork consumption. 3. Indonesia plans to tighten export controls on bulk commodities: The Indonesian President announced the establishment of a state-owned enterprise to manage the export and sale of natural resources such as palm oil. 4. Indian industry officials: India's soybean meal exports for the 2025/26 marketing year are projected to be approximately 900,000 tons, compared to 2.02 million tons in the same period last year. Following rising soybean meal prices, Indian soybean meal exporters have not received any new orders this month.