1) Thai stock market overview
Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,711.58 points, increased 1013 points or 0.60% with a trading value of 101 billion baht. The analyst stated that the Thai stock market hit its 30-month high intraday at 1,718.55 points, supported by the inflow after the Fed’s minutes showed that the central bank will be less aggressive on the rate hike, coupled with no escalation between Russia and Ukraine. The analyst expected a limited upside for tomorrow’s session and warned investors to lookout for a profit taking, giving a support level at 1,705-1,695 points and a resistance level at 1,725-1,740 points.
2) Japan trade deficit reached 8-year high
Japan ran into its biggest trade deficit in a single month in eight years in January amid high energy costs and a strained global supply chain which caused a decline in automobile shipments. The imports figure outstripped a 9.6% rise in exports in the year to January, bringing the trade deficit balance to 2.1911 trillion yen, which is the biggest in a single month since January 2014. The deficit was much bigger than the median estimate for a 1.607 trillion yen shortfall.
3) Ukrainian military fires mortars on Luhansk People’s Republic
Russian media Sputnik reported that the Ukrainian military had fired mortars and grenades at four localities in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic at 2:30 a.m. GMT on Thursday.
Reuters reported, citing RIA news agency that Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine accused Kyiv government forces on Thursday of using mortars to attack their territory, in violation of agreements aimed at ending the conflict.
