April 8, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai share prices closed 0.25 percent higher on Tuesday as the market rebounded after a long weekend, led by major energy shares, dealers said.
They said the market, which was closed Monday for a public holiday, was rangebound as investors hunted for fresh leads amid ongoing fears over a recession in the US economy.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 2.05 points to 826.85 while the blue-chip SET-50 gained 2.11 points to 594.10.
Losers outnumbered gainers 175 to 161, with 123 stocks unchanged on turnover of 5.32 billion shares worth 19.22 billion baht (606.43 million dollars).
The baht depreciated against the dollar, closing at 31.70-72 from Friday's 31.66-68. Against the euro, the Thai unit was also quoted weaker at 49.91-97 from 49.72-80.
"The market rose today because it rebounded from the previous week. It moved narrowly as we expected," said Viriya Lappromrattana, senior vice president at Kiatnakin Securities.
The Thai bourse closed up today led by trading in energy stocks, especially major companies like Banpu, she said.
Major energy firm Banpu surged 28.00 baht to 436.00.
Thailand's biggest energy firm PTT rose 2.00 baht to 320.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 2.00 to 154.00.
The kingdom's largest lender Bangkok Bank was unchanged at 141.00.
Thai Airways International slipped 0.50 to 28.75, while Thailand's biggest mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, edged up 0.50 to 99.00.
