1) Thai stock market overview
Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,648.81 points, increased 9.30 points or 0.57% with a trading value of 68 billion baht. The analyst stated that the Thai stock market recovered from the downfall last week even without positive factors to drive the market. The analyst expected SET Index to move in sideways direction tomorrow as the uncertainty of Russia and Ukraine, and the rising inflation could fluctuate the market.
In addition, the analyst gave a support level for SET Index at 1,645-1,650 points and a resistance level at 1,660-1665 points, while advising to monitor the earnings season.
2) Thailand’s manufacturing index expands 6.8% in December
Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) grew 6.83 percent to 102.59 in December from a year earlier, with full-year industrial output growth of 5.93 percent, the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) said Monday.
Meanwhile, December’s capacity utilization rate (CapU) has risen to 66.3 percent from 65.83 percent in November. This lifts the CapU for the year 2021 to 63.73 percent.
In 2022, the OIE forecast full-year factory output to expand by 4.0-5.0 percent, while GDP growth in the Thai industrial sector is estimated at 2.5-3.5 percent.
3) SCB offers THB2.63 dividend payment
The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited (SET: SCB) announced that its Board of Directors at the meeting held on 29 January 2022 has passed a resolution to approve dividend payment from the year 2021 operational results (Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2021) at the rate of THB2.63 per share.
The Ex-dividend date (XD) is set for 14 February 2022. The payment of the interim dividend will be made on 22 April 2022.
4) NRF to enter crypto markets aiming to establish a new subsidiary in the U.S.
NRF will establish a new subsidiary in the United States with the purpose of creating, producing, marketing, buying/selling/swapping, and owning all forms of digital content and assets, as well as producing, selling, and marketing products produced by the company and affiliates, and also promoting the company and affiliates.
Moreover, the Board of Directors also approved to establish a joint venture, EKOLD Limited, to conduct the cold chain logistics for industrial goods, food and agriculture, cold chain warehouses, cold storage, as well as Platform (Online / AI) together with investing in digital assets including mining and trading in digital assets.
The company therefore foresee the opportunity to expand its plant-based business as well as reducing distribution and selling costs for the company’s other businesses. In addition, the company anticipates rapid growth in digital assets, specifically the cryptocurrencies with environmentally friendly features that can expand the business opportunities and contribute to the company performance in the future.
