Taiwan Securities Settlement Deposits Hit Record NT$3.98 Trillion in January as Retail Confidence Surges

Securities settlement deposits are funds investors hold in settlement accounts for potential stock purchases and are widely viewed as a barometer of retail investor confidence. Central bank data showed that strong gains in Taiwan stocks and robust exports of information and communications technology products lifted risk appetite in April. Funds flowed more rapidly into the securities market, reflecting a marked increase in investors’ willingness to participate.

The central bank’s April financial data showed that securities settlement deposits rose to NT$4.3 trillion at the end of the month, surpassing NT$4 trillion and setting an all-time high. As Taiwan stocks surged in April, retail investors’ share of trading and outstanding margin debt also reached records, indicating a significant rebound in both individual investor confidence and trading momentum.

Securities settlement deposits are widely viewed as a gauge of retail investor activity, reflecting funds held in settlement accounts that can be deployed into stocks at any time. Central bank data showed that M1B growth exceeded M2 growth for the first time in about three and a half years, creating a “golden cross” that highlighted the accelerating flow of demand deposits into the stock market.

The central bank released its January financial statistics in February 2026. By the end of January, securities settlement deposits had climbed to a record NT$3.9755 trillion, while outstanding margin financing for listed and over-the-counter shares also reached an all-time high. Stronger retail inflows and leveraged trading, together with the M1B-M2 golden cross, helped propel Taiwan stocks to a record high in January.