The Thai stock market on Friday snapped the two-day losing streak in which it had retreated more than 10 points or 1 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand finished just above the 1,165-point plateau, and now traders are looking for additional support when the market opens on Monday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is broadly positive in a relief rally after the conservative pro-bailout New Democracy party pulled out a victory in Sunday's crucial elections in Greece. New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras declared victory in the election and called parties to join a national salvation government, "as soon as possible." Delivering a victory speech on Sunday night, he said Greeks had voted to stay in the euro - which for at least the short term ought to make investors happy. The European and U.S. markets finished higher on Friday, and now the Asian bourses are tipped to open in similar fashion.
The SET finished modestly higher on Friday following gains from the financial shares and the energy producers.
For the day, the index climbed 12.72 points or 1.10 percent to finish at 1,165.73 after trading between 1,160.40 and 1,170.48. Volume was 6.093 billion shares worth 41.971 billion baht. There were 290 gainers and 208 decliners, with 151 stocks finishing unchanged.
Among the gainers, energy giant PTT was up 2.15 percent, while PTT Global Chemicals surged 3.11 percent, Kasikornbank collected 1.60 percent and Siam Commercial Bank gathered 2.87 percent.
The lead from Wall Street is upbeat as stocks moved steadily higher on Friday after initially seeing modest strength. The strong upward movement came amid optimism that recent disappointing economic data and the lingering threats from Europe will lead the world's central banks to take additional steps to prop up the global economy.
Continued buying interest was generated by reports indicating that central banks from major economies are prepared to take necessary steps to stabilize the financial markets. The measures will offer banks billions of pounds in cheap credit in an effort to stimulate lending while also providing access to short-term money to deal with "exceptional market stresses."
A disappointing batch of U.S. economic data also seemed to provide further evidence that the economy needs additional stimulus to avoid a double-dip recession. The Federal Reserve reported an unexpected drop in industrial production in May, while Reuters and the University of Michigan showed a substantial deterioration in consumer sentiment in June.
The major averages saw further upside going into the close, ending the session near their best levels of the day as the Dow climbed 115.26 points or 0.9 percent to finish at 12,767.17, while the NASDAQ jumped 36.47 points or 1.3 percent to end at 2,872.80 and the S&P 500 surged up 13.74 points or 1 percent to 1,342.84. With the gains on the day, the major averages all moved higher for the second straight week. The NASDAQ rose 0.5 percent, while the Dow and the S&P 500 added 1.7 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
by RTT Staff Writer
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