Taiwan stocks slump 8.4, worst oneday percentage fall
Taiwan stocks at lowest level since April 23
TSMC stocks drop 9.75
Taiwan Stock Exchange media conference at 0700 GMT

TAIPEI, Aug 5 Reuters Taiwan stocks ended down 8.4 on Monday, a record slump, with tech stocks including TSMC plunging as investors sold off one of Asia39;s top performing markets this year, spooked by a poor outlook for global tech stocks and the U.S. economy.

The main index shed 1,807.21 points, its worst oneday percentage fall, to close at 19,830.88, the lowest level since April 23. The decline was fuelled by a selloff in tech, and then spread more broadly as the index dipped below the key 20,000 level.

It is difficult to predict when the decline will stop. It39;s too early to tell, said David Wu, an analyst with Cathay Futures Consulting Department in Taipei.

Taiwan was one of several markets that tumbled across Asia on Monday amid fears the United States could be heading for recession and as investors sought refuge from risk assets.

Concerns about a widening conflict in the Middle East also weighed on sentiment.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange will hold a media conference to explain recent market movements and contingency response plans at 3 p.m. 0700 GMT, the exchange said in brief statement. No further details were given.

A twoday rout late last week left the SP 500 nearly 6 from its July peak while the techheavy Nasdaq Composite extended losses to notch its first 10 correction from a…