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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Big Non-Surprise: Thai Stocks Continue Wilting

    Political Chaos to Push Foreigners Further Away From Thai Stocks

    By Anuchit Nguyen and Chester Yung
    October 16, 2020, 6:00 AM GMT+7


    • Tensions add to “very grim” corporate earnings outlook: Tisco
    • Benchmark SET Index slumped the most since July 30 on Thursday


    Protesters attend a rally in Bangkok on Oct. 15. Source: Getty Images

    Just as some investors began getting optimistic that Thailand’s plan to reopen its borders would stem foreign outflows and help arrest a slump in domestic stocks, political concerns have erupted once again.

    Global funds may reduce holdings of local stocks further, market watchers say, after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha declared a state of emergency in Bangkok to quell escalating demonstrations in support of monarchy reform and greater democracy. Foreigners have already pulled a net $9.07 billion from domestic equities in 2020, set to exceed a record annual outflow in 2018.

    “Thai equities will remain unloved by overseas investors,” said Prapas Tonpibulsak, chief investment officer at Talis Asset Management Co. “This latest development will probably confirm their concerns about Thailand’s political risk.”




    Political unrest in Thailand has grown as the novel coronavirus pandemic derailed tourism and trade, two of the main drivers for Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy, putting it on course for its worst annual performance ever. The declaration of emergency came after tens of thousands of protesters on Wednesday broke through police barriers in a march to Government House, Prayuth’s office, in an escalation of demonstrations that began in July.

    The benchmark SET Index slipped 1.7% on Thursday, the most since July 30. The gauge has slumped about 21% this year, the most in Asia after Singapore and the Philippines, while the baht is the region’s second-biggest loser in 2020.

    Absence of Tourists


    “Political noise is likely to remain elevated,” said Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered in Bangkok. “Political developments have made us cautious on the economic outlook for the rest of this year and into early 2021.”

    Tourism-reliant Thailand recently unveiled plans to open its borders to small groups of foreigners. An absence of overseas visitors, whose spending accounted for about a fifth of gross domestic product last year, has weighed on growth, eroding the allure of domestic equities.
    Still, the drop in shares following the emergency declaration is probably a “buying opportunity,” said Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, head of consumer equity research at Tellimer. The stock market may “rally sharply in the medium term,” with the return of tourism, said Dubai-based Tiruchelvam.

    The benchmark stock index trades at about 17 times its 12-month estimate earnings, compared with a five-year average of 15.1, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

    “Thai companies have a very grim earnings outlook that won’t attract foreigners to their stocks,” said Komsorn Prakobphol, a senior investment strategist at Tisco Financial Group Pcl in Bangkok. “The political environment will add to the downside risk.”
    Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Shutree's Avatar
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    Yet the Thai Baht remains steady and one report I read yesterday suggested it might strengthen further over time.
    Economics remains one of life's mysteries to me.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    Economics remains one of life's mysteries to me.
    ...you can thank a very conservative Thai Central Bank for the strong baht: one official reason is that the bank wants to avoid importing inflation...though the inflation rates of its trading partners are extremely low. I also suspect there is an unofficial fear of being labeled a currency manipulator by the US (similar to Vietnam) if a falling baht increases exports to the US...the bank, like all other Thai institutions, must kowtow to the various local elites...somebody, I suspect, at a very high echelon wants the baht where it is, regardless of decreasing export competitiveness...
    Last edited by tomcat; 16-10-2020 at 01:12 PM.

  4. #4
    I'm in Jail

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    Perhaps the exodus could have something to do with the proposed expansion of Chinese investment in Thailand.

  5. #5
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    The real economy [not the currency exchange/stock market] and the overwhelming small/medium-sized business sector hasn't suffered as much as it could have - compared to some of the world's economies that are illusion based and dependent driven.

    There is something to say about cultures that might display community independence, self-sufficiency, and familial/social extensions.
    Life lines to the broader scheme of things.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...^irrelevant, but thanks for contributing...

  7. #7
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...irrelevant
    Only for those who are engaged in the usual fantasy, vacant of knowledge, yet pretending to.
    As you've plenty of like company here - can wallow in that comfort.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...*sigh*...FOJ...

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