Thai analysts bullish on SET

SAA Secretary General Sombat Naravuthichai said analysts have adjusted the earlier SET index prediction of 1,471 points for this year to 1,625 points, or 154 points higher.

Contributing factors for the surging index are the government’s Bt2 trillion investment for Thailand’s infrastructure development, an expansion of listed companies’ performance by 20.3 per cent from the original forecast of 15.2 per cent, an adjusted economic growth from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent, and foreigners’ continued investments in the Thai stock market, he said.

Net purchase in the stock market in the last three quarters is forecast at Bt27 billion.

Mr Sombat said analysts weigh heavily on the volatility of P/E ratio, recently 14.5 at the index of 1,550 points, the Eurozone situation and political maneuverings in Thailand, especially regarding the constitutional amendments and scrutiny of the prime minister.

He added that virtually all — 94 per cent — of analysts were concerned with the delay in public sector investment which will impact the country’s overall investment and economic expansion.

Mr Sombat predicted the construction materials sector to earn the highest growth profit at 37.41 per cent, followed by the property sector at 33.42 per cent, and the banking sector at 24.84 per cent while the policy interest rate will remain at 2.75 per cent.   (MCOT online news)