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Over 60 leading European institutional investors from 40 funds participated in The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)’s roadshow held in London, UK, during October 25-26 to find out more about the Thai capital market and the Ministry of Finance’s policies. Investors paid attention to Thailand’s growing economy and returns from its listed companies, which showed sustained performance improvement in every industry. On a year-to-date basis, the SET Index has risen 51.24% in US dollar terms, which is one of the highest rates of increase in the region.
“Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij was the keynote speaker at the ‘Thai Investor Forum,’ co-organized by the Ministry of Finance, Phatra Securities PCL, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the SET, and featuring eight leading firms making presentations. Of the 40 funds present, 75% were long-only funds and 25% were hedge funds, with assets under management of almost USD 1 trillion. There were almost 100 one-on-one and small group meetings,” revealed SET President Charamporn Jotikasthira.
“The finance minister presented information on Thailand’s economic situation, financial policies, and investment opportunities, and built confidence in the country’s political situation. Investors were particularly interested in Thailand’s economic growth, which has showed an impressive growth rate compared to the world’s current recession, as shown by loan expansion in Thai financial institutions and construction businesses, listed firms’ fixed asset investments, and an increase in funds raised.
The SET informed investors that the Thai capital market remained an attractive investment destination, as seen from the listed firms’ continual performance improvement in every industry group, with dividend yields rising at 3.34%. Market capitalization reached THB8 trillion (approx. USD266.66 billion) in October, which is its all-time high,” said Mr. Charamporn.
The SET reported on its plans to support increasing trading volume by further developing its trading systems to be on par with leading exchanges, and on progress in the ASEAN Linkage project.
The combined market capitalization of the eight listed companies joining this roadshow was THB1.21 trillion, accounting for 15.00% of total market capitalization (as of October 27, 2010). The eight companies were AMATA Corporation PCL (AMATA) Asian Property Development PCL (AP), Home Product Center PCL (HMPRO), Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL), Major Cineplex Group PCL (MAJOR), Kiatnakin Bank PCL (KK), PTT PCL (PTT), and Thai Oil PCL (TOP).
