The wave of NT dollar depreciation continues, with the Japanese yen exchange rate rising from 4.46 at the beginning of the year to 4.85 in December 2025, an accumulated appreciation of 8.7%. Many people are asking: Is it really cost-effective to exchange yen now? The answer is yes, but the premise is that you choose the right currency exchange method. Just selecting different channels can result in cost differences of over 1,000 yuan, enough to cover a month of bubble tea.
Is it cost-effective to exchange yen now? Timing analysis
In the second half of 2025, Taiwan's currency exchange demand increased by 25%, mainly driven by three factors: tourism recovery, hedging strategies, and arbitrage opportunities.
Looking at the exchange rate trend, the yen, as one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies (alongside the US dollar and Swiss franc), has inherent value preservation properties. The Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Kazuo recently made hawkish comments, pushing up the rate hike expectation to 80%, with a projected 0.25 percentage point increase to 0.75% at the December 19 meeting (a 30-year high). Japanese bond yields have already reached 1

Gold prices continue to rise in 2024, mainly driven by policy uncertainty, changing interest rate expectations, and increased holdings by global central banks. Although the market is adjusting, experts remain optimistic about future gold price performance. Investors should choose strategies based on their own circumstances and pay attention to gold's volatility and risk management.

Global inflation continues to rise, and the risk of US dollar depreciation is becoming increasingly apparent. Finding financial strategies to combat inflation has become an urgent matter. For newcomers just entering the workforce, with limited salaries and rising living expenses, how to make the limited funds in hand grow steadily has become a focus of many.
Common questions include: Can small amounts of capital really generate returns? What methods can quickly increase funds? With so many investment platforms on the market, how can one distinguish which are trustworthy? This article will reveal diversified small-scale investment strategies for friends with limited funds, introduce highly-rated investment tools and apps, and help you start your investment journey easily with amounts as low as 1,000 yuan or even less.
Monthly savings of 1,000 yuan investment options: 6 suitable financial management methods for small investors
Small-scale investing involves allocating limited funds for financial planning. Traditionally, many people prefer to keep their money in banks, which is safe and reliable, but bank deposits

In financial markets, the primary challenge for investors is how to accurately determine the direction of price movements. Many traders employ different analysis methods—some rely on technical indicators, others focus on candlestick patterns, while trend line analysis has become an essential tool for professional traders due to its intuitive practicality. Trend lines are not only a powerful means to judge market direction but also a key to identifying buy and sell opportunities and risk turning points.
Understanding the Core Definition and Function of Trend Lines
A trend line is essentially a straight line connecting specific points on a price sequence, used to identify whether an asset's price is rising, falling, or consolidating within a range. This line is manually drawn by analysts based on the characteristics of price fluctuations, formed by connecting lows or highs over a certain period.
The main functions of trend lines are reflected in three aspects: first, they clearly identify the current market structure—whether it shows upward momentum, downward momentum, or sideways consolidation; second, they provide specific

Shengda Technology (3491) stock price repeatedly hits new highs, with November revenue reaching NT$285 million, a 48% year-over-year increase, indicating strong profit momentum. The low Earth orbit satellite business has become the main growth engine, accounting for 64.5%, and holds NT$1 billion in orders, which is expected to promote sustained future growth. The overall fundamentals are positive, and the outlook is optimistic.

Opening the Curtain: Comparing the Costs of 4 Different Methods
To quickly determine which currency exchange method is the smartest, just look at this table: using NT$50,000 as an example, exchanging at the counter results in a loss of NT$1,500-2,000, while online currency settlement only costs NT$300-800. If your budget is between NT$50,000 and NT$200,000, the "Online Settlement + Foreign Currency ATM" hybrid method is the most cost-effective combination.
| Exchange Method | Cost (NT$50,000) | Operation Time | Suitable Scenario |
|-----------------|------------------|----------------|-------------------|
| Counter Exchange | NT$1,500-2,000 | Weekdays 9:00-15:30 | Urgent airport needs |
| Online Exchange | NT$500-1,000 | 24 hours | Forex investment, phased entry |

Australia's latest household expenditure and consumer price index data show strong domestic demand and persistent high inflation, leading to a surge in market expectations for the central bank to raise interest rates. Experts predict that rate hikes next year are a certainty, and the Australian dollar will appreciate accordingly. Related institutions forecast that by 2026, the AUD/USD will rise to between 0.67 and 0.71, further enhancing its attractiveness.

Fractional share investing has become a gateway for many small investors to enter the stock market. Unlike traditional whole share trading, fractional shares allow investors with limited funds to participate in popular stocks, but there are many nuances to consider. This article will delve into the trading mechanisms, cost structures, and practical tips for fractional shares, helping you make smarter investment decisions.
What are fractional shares? Why do they exist?
In the Taiwan stock market, the minimum unit for whole share trading is "1 lot," which equals 1,000 shares. However, investors sometimes hold stock fragments of less than 1,000 shares, known as fractional shares. The minimum trading unit for fractional shares is 1 share, and buy/sell orders cannot exceed 999 shares.
There are various reasons for the existence of fractional shares. The most common situation is that an investor's order is not fully executed—possibly due to rapid stock price fluctuations or the transaction volume not reaching the desired amount but exceeding the order price. Additionally, during corporate dividend distributions or stock rights offerings, the number of shares cannot be fully

By the end of 2025, the Taiwanese dollar has surged to 4.85 against the Japanese yen. This not only affects travelers going abroad but also influences risk-averse investors. But did you know? Choosing the wrong currency exchange method can cost you an extra NT$2,000 in fees and exchange rate differences.
We have compiled a comparison of the actual costs involved in three major methods: banks, foreign currency ATMs, and online currency exchange. We will also tell you whether now is a good time to exchange yen and how to keep your money growing after the exchange.
Why should you pay attention to yen exchange?
First, it’s important to understand that exchanging yen isn’t just for traveling abroad. From a market perspective, the yen is one of the world’s three major safe-haven currencies (alongside the US dollar and Swiss franc), and is long used by institutional investors to hedge risks. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the yen appreciated by 8% in a week, while the stock market fell by 10%. This demonstrates the power of safe-haven assets.
For Taiwanese investors, as the Taiwanese dollar faces depreciation pressure, appropriately allocating yen can not only diversify risk but also participate in the Japanese

The article discusses nine core factors that influence the appreciation and depreciation of exchange rates in the foreign exchange market, including short-term market sentiment and interest rate policies, medium-term economic fundamentals, and long-term political stability and trade conditions. Traders need to consider these factors comprehensively to accurately predict exchange rate movements and develop effective trading strategies.

Gold prices continue to rise, with a 48% increase since 2023, mainly driven by global currency depreciation, rising safe-haven demand, regulatory policy changes, and central bank buying trends. In the short term, gold offers investment value, but increased competition requires cautious positioning. The best entry point is when the price pulls back to the lower band of the Bollinger Bands, making it suitable for all investors to allocate assets.

The true meaning of circuit breaker: applying "brakes" to the market
In investors' daily discussions, the term "circuit breaker" appears frequently, but what exactly does it mean? Simply put, a circuit breaker (Circuit Breaker) is a set of automatic protection mechanisms in the U.S. stock market — when stock price fluctuations exceed a preset range, trading is paused for a period of time. It's like a car's braking system, preventing the market from "crashing" due to excessive panic.
The design concept of this mechanism is very intuitive: when investors' emotions are overly amplified and the market experiences violent fluctuations, a pause in trading gives everyone a chance to breathe. You can imagine this scenario — when the audience in a movie theater screams collectively and pushes each other during a climax of a horror film, the theater administrator presses the pause button, allowing everyone to calm down for 15 minutes, take a deep breath, and clear their minds before continuing the movie. The principle of the U.S. stock market circuit breaker works almost exactly the same.
Circuit Breaker

Why is the Japanese Yen worth exchanging?
In global capital flows, the Japanese Yen has long been listed as one of the three major safe-haven currencies (alongside the US Dollar and Swiss Franc). This is not just a demand from travelers, but also a strategic choice for investors.
From a financial investment perspective
Japan's economic system is stable, and its government debt structure is transparent. During market volatility, large amounts of funds flow into the Yen for hedging. For example, during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Yen appreciated by 8% in a single week, effectively offsetting stock market declines of over 10%. For Taiwanese investors, allocating Yen can help balance the risks in the Taiwan stock market.
Additionally, the Bank of Japan has maintained an ultra-low interest rate (currently 0.5%) for a long time, making the Yen a financing currency. Many investment institutions borrow low-interest Yen, convert to high-interest USD investments (the US-Japan interest rate differential reaches 4.0%), and when risks increase, close positions and repurchase. This arbitrage trading mode makes the Yen an important target in financial markets.
Practicality in daily life
Whether shopping in Tokyo, skiing in Hokkaido, or vacationing in Okinawa

Cash Dividends or Stock Dividends? Two Ways for Listed Companies to Give Back
When a listed company makes a profit, it usually rewards shareholders. This reward is called dividend distribution, and there are two main methods: cash dividends and stock dividends.
Cash dividends are called cash dividends (dividends paid), where the company directly deposits the money into your account. Stock dividends are called stock dividends (bonus shares), where the company issues additional shares to your account free of charge, increasing your total share count.
Which method is better depends on the company's situation. Cash dividends require the company to be profitable and have ample cash on hand; otherwise, it may affect the company's liquidity. Stock dividends have a lower threshold; as long as the distribution criteria are met, they can be issued even if cash is tight.
How to Calculate Stock Dividends? Three Distribution Methods in One Look
Listed companies decide how much money to allocate based on the distribution ratio, then calculate how much each shareholder can receive based on their shareholding.
Pure stock dividends

Single-stock futures are standardized contracts based on individual stocks. Their price trends are closely related to the spot stock, making them suitable for short-term traders. Advantages include low trading costs, flexible short selling, and tax benefits. However, they also face risks such as insufficient liquidity, margin calls, and high leverage. Therefore, investors should carefully set stop-loss levels and reasonably control leverage to reduce potential losses.

Last week's market roundup
From December 15 to 19, the US dollar index slightly rose by 0.33%, while non-US currencies showed mixed performance. The Japanese yen was the hardest hit, falling by 1.28%, the Australian dollar declined by 0.65%, the euro slightly decreased by 0.23%, and the British pound rose against the trend by 0.03%.
Euro performance divergence: the tug-of-war between rate hike expectations and economic recovery
EUR/USD fluctuated last week, ending with a decline of 0.23%. The European Central Bank maintained its interest rate as planned, but President Lagarde did not deliver the hawkish signals expected by the market, disappointing investors.
US data showed mixed results. November non-farm payrolls and consumer price index both fell short of expectations. However, major investment banks like Morgan Stanley and Barclays warned that these figures might be influenced by technical factors and statistical distortions, making it difficult to accurately reflect the true state of the economy. The market currently anticipates that the Federal Reserve will have two more rate cuts by 2026, including a cut in April.

The NT dollar to Japanese Yen exchange rate has approached 4.85, appreciating 8.7% from 4.46 at the beginning of the year. Converting to Yen is not just a choice for travel abroad; it has become a hedging tool for investors to offset Taiwan stock market volatility. But the issue is, Taiwan has four exchange channels, and the costs can differ by more than NT$1,000 — have you really chosen the right one?
Converting Yen is not just for travel
Many people think Yen is only used for international trips. In fact, there is a deeper investment logic behind Yen.
As one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies (along with USD and Swiss Franc), Yen has an astonishing ability to attract capital during market turbulence. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Yen appreciated by 8% in one week, while the stock market fell by 10% in the same period, enough to buffer the volatility of an investment portfolio. For Taiwanese investors, holding Yen is like buying a low-cost "insurance."
Another reason is arbitrage opportunities. The Bank of Japan has maintained an ultra-low interest rate (only 0.5%) for a long time, compared to the US with a 4

What exactly is blockchain?
Many people have heard of the term blockchain, but find it difficult to explain it clearly in simple language. In fact, we can think of it as a "distributed ledger" maintained collectively by numerous participants around the world.
Unlike traditional ledgers, blockchain records are stored by multiple nodes rather than a single organization or individual. Each participant holds a complete copy, and this method of collective maintenance is what we often refer to as decentralization.
Why is it called "Blockchain"?
The origin of this name is easy to understand. Transaction information is recorded in "blocks," similar to pages in a ledger. When a block is filled, it is sealed, and the new block is linked to the previous one through cryptographic methods, forming a continuous chain. Because of this, the entire system is called a blockchain.
Components of the blockchain structure
A blockchain is composed of multiple blocks linked together,

Federal Reserve Chair Powell recently signaled a clear dovish stance in the latest meeting, no longer insisting that inflation must fall below 2% before initiating rate cuts. This shift has garnered widespread market attention, causing fluctuations across various financial instruments. What will the US rate cut cycle look like? How will different asset classes be impacted?
2024 FED Rate Decision Meeting Schedule
The Federal Reserve holds 8 rate decision meetings each year, each lasting two days. Four of these meetings will simultaneously release all committee members' changes in current and future rate expectations (dot plot) and assessments of the economic outlook. These 8 decision days are considered the most critical workdays of the year for Wall Street.
The 2024 FED rate decision schedule is as follows:
| Meeting Date | Rate Decision | Press Conference | Dot Plot | Economic Outlook |
|---------|--------|-------|---