April 21, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai share prices closed 0.40 percent lower on Monday due mainly to profit taking in bank stocks, dealers said.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 3.42 points to 841.98, and the bluechip SET 50 index lost 3.54 points to 605.84.
Losers outnumbered gainers 172 to 165 while 112 stocks were unchanged with 6.95 billion shares traded worth 24.33 billion baht (771.78 million dollars).
The Thai baht slightly depreciated against the dollar, closing at 31.51-53 from Friday's 31.42-45. The Thai unit changed slightly against the euro, finishing at 49.94-50.00 from 49.98-50.05.
"The market fell slightly today due to short-term profit taking, especially in shares in the banking sector," said Sukit Udomsirikul, head of research at Siam City Securities.
Sukit said banking stocks had previously surged as investors expected positive news as banks started to release their earnings reports last Friday.
"There is nothing to worry about over the market falling today," he said.
Thailand's largest lender Bangkok Bank fell 2.00 baht to 139.00 while Siam Commercial Bank lost 2.00 to 92.00.
The kingdom's biggest energy firm PTT was unchanged at 334.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production fell 2.00 to 164.00. Major energy firm Banpu lost 4.00 to 432.00.
Thai Airways edged up 0.25 to 28.50.
