May 6, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai share prices closed 0.32 percent higher after a day of cautious trading, with energy stocks the main movers as global oil prices hit a new high, dealers said.
They said trading in energy shares was driven by a new record world oil price near 121 dollars.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index gained 2.68 points to close at 845.83, while the bluechip SET 50 index added 2.98 points to 610.42.
Losers outnumbered gainers 240 to 119 while 91 stocks were unchanged with turnover of 4.3 billion shares worth 22.4 billion baht (705.5 million dollars) traded.
The Thai baht remained stable against the dollar amid sluggish trading at 31.72-74 baht to one dollar compared to Friday's close of 31.71-72.
Against the euro, the baht closed at 49.05-28 compared to last week's close of 49.11-20.
"The market was slightly volatile today, but it managed to gain from Friday's close," Kosin Sripaiboon, chief analyst at UOB Kay Hian Securities said.
"The energy sector, especially PTT and its affiliates gained," he said.
Oil refinery ESSO posted a modest gain of 0.50 baht on its initial public offering Tuesday of 10 to close at 10.50.
PTT Plc jumped 4.00 to close at 344.00, and PTT Exploration and Production rose 5.00 to 174.00, but Thai Oil dropped 2.00 to 71.00.
Thai Airways International was unchanged at 27.75, but Bangkok Bank shed 1.00 to 135.00.
