Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,349.52 points, increased 17.44 points or 1.31% with a trading value of 43.07 billion baht. The analyst stated that the Thai stock market increased as the conflict in the Middle East did not escalate further, while earnings from the banking sector exceeded market expectations. The stocks that benefited from today’s positive momentum were banking, finance, and food and beverage stocks.
The analyst expected the market to trade sideways tomorrow.
According to official data released Monday, China’s benchmark lending rates were kept steady, meeting market expectations following the PBOC’s decision to maintain key policy rates amidst indications of economic improvement.
The one-year loan prime rate remained at 3.45%, while the five-year rate was unchanged at 3.95%, as confirmed by the People’s Bank of China.
The decision to hold the LPR aligns with predictions, especially after the PBOC opted to keep the medium-term lending facility rate steady last week. The MLF rate acts as a reference for LPR, determined by 20 major Chinese banks.
Despite some economists suggesting further interest-rate cuts to support the struggling real estate sector, the current robust economic momentum makes immediate easing less probable.
Early trade figures for April indicate a robust start to the second quarter for South Korea’s exports, signaling a positive outlook for economic growth in the country.
Data released by the customs office on Monday revealed an 11.1 percent year-on-year increase in the value of shipments in the first 20 days of April, accompanied by a 6.1 percent uptick in imports, which resulted in a trade deficit of US$2.6 billion.
As a significant producer of high-tech goods and an early reporter of trade data, South Korea’s export performance is closely watched as a leading indicator for global commerce trends. The nation’s companies, particularly prominent in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and other tech-driven sectors, play a vital role in global trade networks.
Semiconductor shipments, in particular, continued to drive export growth in April, registering a substantial 43 percent increase from the previous year during the period, according to the customs office.
