Money gauges fall, securities decline biggest in 12 yearsBy Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterThe nation’s money supply gauges last month lost momentum, with securities accounts having their largest monthly drop in 12 years as stock routs drove retail and institutional investors to the sidelines, the central bank said yesterday. The latest data showed that investors’ securities accounts shed NT$89.9 billion (US$3.07 billion) to NT$3.1 trillion last month, the central bank said. Foreign portfolio managers cut holdings in local shares by a net NT$267.4 billion last month, it said. However, overall savings deposits by foreign investors picked up NT$26.5 billion, indicating that some are waiting for re-entry opportunities, the bank said. By contrast, foreign currency deposits spiked 16.13 percent year-on-year to reach US$7.64 trillion, supported by a strong US dollar and robust exports, it said.
