April 4, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai share prices closed 0.23 percent lower on Friday in light trading, as many investors stayed on the sidelines, waiting for the release of US jobs data later in the day, dealers said.
They said worries over a slowdown of the US economy continued and that the market was quiet because investors were away for long holidays this weekend and also for the ancestor worship period of Chinese tradition.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 1.88 points to 824.80 while the blue-chip SET-50 lost 1.49 points to 591.99.
Losers led gainers 197 to 135, with 125 stocks unchanged on turnover of 5.21 billion shares worth 20.82 billion baht (657.20 million dollars).
The baht fell against the dollar, closing at 31.66-68 from Thursday's 31.62-64. Against the euro, the Thai unit was also quoted weaker at 49.72-80 from 49.20-26.
"The market was quiet today and trade was rather thin. Investors waited to hear the US unemployment report, which will be announced later tonight, while many were away for long holidays," said Pichai Lertsupongkit, senior vice president at Thanachart Securities.
"Trading was thin including in major shares like energy stocks, while investors took profits in banking and property," he said.
Thailand's biggest energy firm PTT fell 2.00 baht to 318.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production rose 1.00 to 152.00. Another major energy firm Banpu also jumped 12.00 to 408.00.
The kingdom's largest lender Bangkok Bank rose 1.00 to 141.00.
Thai Airways International slipped 0.25 to 29.25, while Thailand's biggest mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, was unchanged at 98.50.
