Financial Information

II. Market dynamics
The global economy is expected to maintain moderate growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts global economic growth at 3.0% this year. However, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the U.S. Federal Reserve's formal shift to interest rate hikes in September, with the possibility of further hikes before year-end, have heightened uncertainty and warrant continued monitoring. Taiwan's economy continues to benefit from robust demand across the AI supply chain, which has strengthened export and investment momentum. Export orders have recorded year-on-year growth for 18 consecutive months, while the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) forecasts Taiwan's economic growth to reach 11.05% this year, marking the highest level in nearly four decades. In the steel industry, sharp increase in iron ore and coking coal prices has driven up steelmaking costs, supporting a recovery in international steel prices. In the United States, tariff policies and tightening supply have pushed hot-rolled steel prices higher from already elevated levels. In Europe, hot-rolled steel prices have risen significantly amid the CBAM and import tariff quotas. In Asia, improving steel supply and demand fundamentals have prompted most steelmakers to raise their list prices following the market recovery.