August 3, 2009
BANGKOK, Aug 3, 2009 (AFP) - The Thai stock market rose 2.79 percent on Monday due to regional gains amid hopes of a global economic recovery, an analyst said.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index added 17.43 points to close at 641.43, and the blue-chip SET-50 was up 14.66 points at 464.57.
Gainers overwhelmed losers 248 to 78 while 112 stocks were unchanged on turnover of 4.3 billion shares worth 24.6 billion baht (724.8 million dollars).
The Thai baht was slightly up against the dollar and closed at 34.01-02 baht compared to Friday's 34.03-05.
But the unit fell against the euro, closing at 48.60-65 compared to last week's close of 48.00-05.
"The market rose strongly today owing to regional gains amid hopes of the global economy recovering," said Techathorn Lapudomsak, an analyst at Asia Plus Securities.
He said energy and banking shares led the market.
Among the major shares, Banpu soared by 19.00 baht to 394.00 baht and PTT Plc rose 9.00 baht to 248.00 baht, while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 4.50 baht to close at 142.50 baht.
Bangkok Bank ended 1.50 baht higher at 112.50 baht, and Kasikornbank was up 2.75 baht at 75.25 baht.
Siam Cement jumped 14.00 baht to 198.00 baht, while Thai Airways International edged up 0.10 to 13.70 baht.
