# The SET Index stood at 1,176.17, showing a positive change of +5.97 - Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/set/202487-set-index-closed-at-1160-06-down-by-27-57-points - Published: 2025-03-12T18:15:46+07:00 - Author: Abhishek Prakash The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index continued its decline in February and March, dropping 8.4% below 1,200 points, due to concerns over maturing long-term equity fund positions and disappointing results from market giant Delta Electronics and Airports of Thailand (AOT). * The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index has been on a steady decline, dropping 8.4% in February and reaching levels last seen during the pandemic, due to concerns over maturing long-term equity fund positions and disappointing results from market giant Delta Electronics. * The intensifying trade war and potential reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, along with Thailand’s high tariffs on US goods, pose a significant threat to the Thai stock market. The intensifying trade war and higher US tariffs on various countries, including Thailand, have also negatively impacted the Thai stock market. The Bank of Thailand cut its benchmark interest rate to 2.0% in February, but this did not boost the stock market. The investment theme for this month focuses on stocks with good fundamentals and potential inclusion in the new Thai ESGX funds, with top picks being Amata Corp( AMATA), Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), Krungthai Bank (KTB), and Minor International( MINT). ADVERTISEMENT On March 12, 2025, the market closed with significant declines across major indices such as SET (-27.57 points) and SET100 (-41.09 points). Notable stock movements included declines in TRUE (-3.64%) and DELTA (-6.76%) despite a positive change in SETTRI (+0.91%). Trading value totaled 49,522.05 million Baht, with notable net buys from institutions and net sells from foreign investors. The energy sector also experienced mixed performance, with PTT closing unchanged, while PTTEP saw a minor uptick of 0.45%. Banking stocks faced pressure as KBANK and SCB dropped by 1.23% and 0.98%, respectively. Meanwhile, the technology sector highlighted contrasting trends, with ADVANC gaining 0.62% amid broader declines. Analysts attributed the market’s overall weakness to global economic concerns and a stronger Baht, which weighed on export-driven sectors. Looking ahead, investors are expected to monitor upcoming U.S. inflation data and the Bank of Thailand’s policy meeting for further market direction. ## Key Points * **Stock Exchange Performance (As of 12 Mar 2025)** - SET Index closed at 1,160.06, down by 27.57 points, with a trading volume of 9,380,033,000 shares and a value of 46,281.66 M.Baht. - SET50 Index was at 733.03, declining 18.86 points, with a volume of 1,786,868,000 shares valued at 35,691.18 M.Baht. - SET100 Index fell to 1,589.26, a decrease of 41.09 points, with a trading volume of 2,497,593,000 shares worth 40,647.13 M.Baht. * **Market Indices Information** - SET50FF Index registered at 735.84, down 14.28 points, identical in volume and value to SET50. - sSET, SETCLMV, SETHD, SETESG, and SETWB indices also showed declines of 12.29, 13.96, 15.63, 15.31, and 15.53 points respectively. - The SETTRI Index reported a positive gain, closing at 9,013.36, increasing by 81.49 points (+0.91%) as of the previous day, 11 Mar 2025. * **Trading Activities and Top Stocks** - Cumulative trading value amounted to 49,522.05 M.Baht as of 11 Mar 2025. - Institutional investors posted a net buy of 1,949.22 M.Baht, while proprietary, foreign, and individual investors had net sells of 559.26, 1,020.48, and 369.48 M.Baht respectively. - Top traded stocks included TRUE at 10.60 Baht (-3.64%), AOT at 39.75 Baht (- 2.45%), PTT at 27.25 Baht (-2.68%), DELTA at 69.00 Baht (-6.76%), and ADVANC at 265.00 Baht (-1.85%). The SET Index’s drop of 27.57 points—a roughly 2.32% decline—signals a notable shift, especially if this follows a trend of weakness. Earlier this year, reports indicated the SET hit a five-year low, with foreign investors offloading stocks worth over 26 billion baht (about $760 million USD at a rough 34 THB/USD rate) by mid-March. This suggests persistent outflows, possibly driven by a mix of domestic and global factors. Domestically, Thailand’s economy has faced headwinds—Q4 2024 GDP growth reportedly undershot forecasts, and companies’ 2024 earnings often missed expectations, dragging down market sentiment. A support level around 1,140–1,150 was flagged by analysts earlier in March, and today’s close at 1,160.06 sits precariously close, hinting at potential further downside if buying doesn’t step in. Globally, uncertainty around U.S. tariff policies under a Trump administration has rattled Asian markets. Tariffs on steel and aluminum, briefly hiked to 50% before settling at 25%, exemplify the volatility exporters like Thailand face. This could pressure SET-listed firms in trade-sensitive sectors like manufacturing or energy, especially if U.S. demand softens. Meanwhile, the Thai government’s response—tax incentives costing $1.5 billion in revenue and plans for an ESGX Fund—aims to prop up the market, but the immediate impact seems limited given today’s drop. Looking at technicals, the SET’s forward P/E ratio was around 15.0 in January 2025, above the Asian average of 12.6, suggesting stocks were relatively pricey despite the decline. The dividend yield, at 3.64% then, beat the regional 3.28%, which might attract value hunters if the index stabilizes. Trading volume has been sluggish— January’s daily average was 39.01 billion THB, down 17.2% year-on-year—so liquidity could amplify swings. Broader trends show Asian markets grappling with U.S. policy shifts and China’s uneven recovery. Thai stocks might be caught in a regional downdraft, though local institutional buying (above 10% of trading value for months) offers some counterweight. Still, geopolitical noise—like U.S.-China tensions or Ukraine talks—keeps risk appetite shaky. In short, the SET’s trend looks bearish near-term, with 1,140 as a key floor to watch. A rebound hinges on policy measures kicking in or external pressures easing, but for now, caution rules. 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In Asia, markets closed with mixed results. The Nikkei 225 in Japan climbed by 0.5% fueled by tech stocks, reflecting strong earnings reports from leading electronics firms. Conversely, China’s Shanghai Composite showed marginal declines as investors reacted to news of slower-than-expected GDP growth, prompting concerns over the country’s ongoing economic recovery from pandemic-related setbacks. To analyze the SET50 constituents as of March 18, 2025, I’ll provide an overview based on the structure and purpose of the SET50 Index, along with general trends and insights applicable to its makeup. The SET50 Index, managed by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), tracks the top 50 companies listed on the SET based on large market capitalization and high trading liquidity. These constituents are reviewed semi-annually (typically January–June and July–December periods) to reflect market changes, ensuring the index remains representative of Thailand’s leading firms. Since I don’t have real-time access to the exact list of SET50 constituents for March 2025, I’ll outline a framework for analysis, highlight key sectors and representative companies typically included, and tie this to current economic conditions. ## Overview of SET50 Constituents The SET50 is a capitalization-weighted index, meaning larger companies by market cap have a greater influence on its performance. Its constituents span multiple sectors, reflecting Thailand’s economic diversity—finance, energy, tourism, real estate, and manufacturing are usually prominent. As of recent years, companies like PTT (energy), Airports of Thailand (AOT, tourism), Bangkok Bank (BBL, banking), and CP All (retail) have been staples, though the exact list evolves with market dynamics. ### Sector Breakdown and Key Players Based on historical trends and Thailand’s economic landscape in 2025, here’s a likely sectoral composition: 1. **Financials (25–30%)**: Banks dominate due to their size and stability. Bangkok Bank (BBL), Kasikornbank (KBANK), and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) are frequent constituents. These firms benefit from high dividend yields (often 4–6%) and resilience in a high-interest-rate environment, though loan growth may be tempered by economic slowdowns. 2. **Energy (15–20%)**: PTT, Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas giant, is a heavyweight, alongside subsidiaries like PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP). Rising global energy demand could bolster their performance, though volatility in oil prices remains a risk. 3. **Consumer Goods and Retail (10–15%)**: CP All (7-Eleven operator) and Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) reflect Thailand’s robust consumer market. These firms thrive on domestic consumption but face pressure from inflation and shifting tourist spending. 4. **Transportation/Tourism (10–15%)**: Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Thai Airways( THAI, if restructured) capitalize on tourism recovery. AOT, managing major airports, is particularly sensitive to visitor numbers, which dipped in early 2025 due to safety concerns and regional competition. 5. **Property and Construction (5–10%)**: Companies like Land and Houses (LH) and AP Thailand (AP) reflect urban development trends. They’re cyclical, tied to interest rates and consumer confidence, which have been shaky in 2025. 6. **Others (10–15%)**: Includes telecom (Advanced Info Service, ADVANC), healthcare( Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, BDMS), and industrials. These diversify the index and offer growth potential, especially in healthcare amid aging demographics. ## Performance Trends (Early 2025 Context) The SET50 has mirrored the broader SET Index’s struggles, with a notable 8.4% drop in February 2025, closing at around 1,203.72 points for the SET. This reflects global economic uncertainty, a stronger U.S. dollar, and domestic challenges like tourism declines from key markets (China, Taiwan). However, the SET50’s focus on large-cap, liquid stocks provides relative stability compared to smaller indices like the SET100 or mai. Dividend yields remain a draw—averaging 3–5% for many constituents—making it attractive for income-focused investors. ### Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses * **Strengths**: - **Liquidity**: High trading volumes ensure ease of entry/exit, appealing to institutional investors. - **Diversification**: Exposure across sectors mitigates single-industry risks. - **Resilience**: Blue-chip firms like PTT and BBL have strong balance sheets, cushioning downturns. * **Weaknesses**: - **Tourism Dependency**: AOT and related stocks suffer from external shocks( e.g., China’s slowdown, scam perceptions). - **Economic Sensitivity**: Banking and property firms are vulnerable to interest rate hikes and slowing GDP growth. - **Concentration Risk**: A few heavyweights (e.g., PTT, AOT) disproportionately sway the index. ### Current Economic Context (March 2025) Thailand’s law enforcement challenges, visa policy shifts (potential 60-to-30-day rollback), and corruption scandals could indirectly pressure SET50 constituents. Tourism-related stocks may lag if visitor confidence wanes, while financials could face tighter regulations or public scrutiny. Conversely, energy firms might gain from geopolitical supply tightness, and consumer staples could hold steady as domestic demand persists. ### How to Dive Deeper For a precise analysis, you’d need the latest SET50 constituent list (available on set.or.th under “Market Data > Constituents” for the January–June 2025 period, likely updated in December 2024). Key metrics to examine: * **Market Cap**: Identifies dominant players (e.g., PTT often exceeds 500 billion THB). * **P/E Ratio**: Gauges valuation—SET50 stocks often trade at 10–15x earnings, below historical norms in 2025. * **Dividend Yield**: Highlights income potential, especially in banks and energy. * **YTD Performance**: Pinpoints winners/losers amid the SET’s 17.66% drop since January 2025. The SET50 constituents offer a mix of stability and opportunity, skewed toward Thailand’s economic pillars—finance, energy, and tourism. In March 2025, banking and energy stocks likely provide a defensive tilt, while tourism and property face headwinds. For a tailored pick, cross-reference the latest list with your goals—value hunters might lean toward undervalued banks, while growth seekers could eye healthcare or ESG-aligned firms like BGRIM. What’s your focus—growth, income, or stability? That could refine this further!