How much is one share of US stocks in Taiwanese dollars? The difference between a share and a lot, so you can understand it all at once.

Many novice investors in the stock market will notice an interesting phenomenon: buying stocks in the U.S. stock market seems much cheaper, while purchasing stocks in the Taiwan stock market requires a significant amount of capital. The key behind this difference lies in the fact that the two markets use completely different trading units. How much is one share of U.S. stock in New Taiwan Dollars? Why does Taiwan stock trading use “one lot” as the unit? Today, we’ll explore these fundamental concepts of stock investing.

How to Read Stock Prices? Pricing Methods in the U.S. and Taiwan Markets

Stock price refers to the transaction price of a stock in the market, reflecting how much money an investor needs to pay to buy that stock. Whether in the U.S. or Taiwan, stock prices are quoted per share, fluctuating in real-time based on buy and sell transactions.

For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is listed in both Taiwan and the U.S. markets. In Taiwan, its stock price is shown in New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), while in the U.S., it’s quoted in USD. When we see TSMC’s stock price at NT$561 in Taiwan, it means buying one share costs NT$561; in the U.S., if the stock price is about USD$95, buying one share costs USD$95.

Different countries’ stocks are priced in different currencies, such as USD in the U.S. and NTD in Taiwan. The trading prices fluctuate based on market supply and demand, and the stock price you see is the current transaction price.

How Much Is One Share? Essential Concepts for Investors

“One share” is the basic unit of stock trading. A listed company divides part of its ownership into shares sold to investors, with each share representing a small ownership stake in the company. The stock price directly indicates how much one share is worth; the price you see is the amount needed to purchase one share.

It’s important to note that a stock’s par value and its market price are two different concepts. Par value is the initial value set when the company is established, often NT$10 for many Taiwanese companies. However, par value is just a historical record and has little relation to the actual trading price in the market. Investors should focus on the current market price, which determines the actual amount they need to pay.

For example, Tesla (TSLA)’s stock price was about USD$101 at the start of 2023, rising to over USD$250 mid-year. Buying one share of Tesla within a few months doubled in price. As long as investors are optimistic about the company’s prospects, the stock price will tend to rise with profitability.

How Much Does One Lot of Taiwan Stocks Cost? Why the Trading Units Differ So Much

In the Taiwan stock market, “one lot” is a special trading unit, equivalent to 1,000 shares. This means if you buy one lot of TSMC, you are actually purchasing 1,000 shares.

For example, if TSMC’s stock price is NT$561, then the capital needed to buy one lot is:

NT$561 × 1,000 = NT$561,000

For most retail investors, NT$561,000 is a large sum, so Taiwan’s market introduced odd-lot trading. This allows investors to buy less than one full lot, with a minimum of just one share. This significantly lowers the investment barrier, enabling ordinary investors to participate in the stock market.

However, trading odd lots differs from trading full lots (1,000 shares). Full lot transactions are executed on a per-order basis, with fast execution and high liquidity; odd-lot trades use a pooled bidding system, matched once per minute, with relatively lower liquidity and potential delays. Investors should choose the trading method that best suits their capital and trading needs.

The Investment Thresholds: One Share in the U.S. vs One Lot in Taiwan

How much is one share in the U.S. in NT$? This is a question many investors care about.

The biggest difference between the U.S. and Taiwan markets is in the trading units. The U.S. stock market’s minimum trading unit is one share, with no concept of “one lot.” This results in a huge difference in investment thresholds.

Taking TSMC as an example:

• Taiwan stock purchase: NT$561 × 1,000 shares = NT$561,000 (full lot)
• U.S. stock purchase: USD$95 × 1 share ≈ NT$3,000

Buying the same company’s stock, the U.S. market’s investment threshold is less than 1/200 of Taiwan’s. That’s why many investors prefer trading in U.S. stocks—they can buy shares of the same company with significantly less capital.

Besides the unit difference, there are other key distinctions between the two markets. U.S. stock trading fees are generally lower, with many brokers offering commission-free trading; Taiwan’s transaction fee is about 0.1425% of the transaction amount. The U.S. market operates 24 hours daily, while Taiwan’s trading hours are from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. These factors contribute to very different investing experiences in each market.

The Three Main Drivers of Stock Price Fluctuations

After understanding the units and pricing methods, investors should also grasp what factors influence stock price movements. Stock prices are mainly affected by three major factors:

First, the company’s fundamentals. The company’s financial health, profitability, and growth prospects are core drivers of stock prices. Good financial reports, steady revenue and profit growth attract investors, pushing prices higher. Conversely, declining performance can depress stock prices.

Second, macroeconomic environment. Indicators like GDP growth, interest rate policies, and exchange rates influence the overall stock market. A strong economy usually boosts the market, while recession risks can lead to declines.

Third, investor sentiment and market expectations. The optimism or pessimism of market participants directly impacts buying and selling. Negative news, political instability, or global crises (like pandemics) can trigger panic selling, causing sharp drops in stock prices.

By considering these three factors, investors can better understand why stock prices fluctuate and why the price of one U.S. share in NT$ differs so greatly from one lot of Taiwan stocks. Ultimately, these differences stem from market structure design rather than the intrinsic value of the stocks. Regardless of which market you choose to invest in, understanding trading units and pricing methods is the first step toward becoming a mature investor.