Thailand Finance & Banking

Khonburi Sugar will become the second sugar producer to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, issuing 176 million shares to mobilise funds for increased cane-crushing capacity and power generation.

Land and Houses Retail Bank (LH Bank) expects approval from authorities for an upgrade to commercial bank status by August

LH Financial Group will start trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on May 10 as the first listing by a commercial bank in the 15-year period.

Silver has been a lucrative investment option as its price has risen by 70% since January of last year, while analysts expect the rise to continue as the US dollar depreciates.

As forecast by many brokerages, the SET Index broke its resistance level to hit a high of 1,113.63 points last week. Continued foreign fund inflows, a positive outlook ahead of the midyear election, and robust Asian markets all drove trade.

Tokyo AIM Inc and the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday to explore the possibilities of dual listings and other close cooperation in the near future.

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations (Fetco) expects the Thai bourse in 2013 to exceed the record high achieved before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, thanks to likely sustained levels of inflation and interest rates and listed companies gaining a higher return on equity as a result of investment expansion.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is introducing 16 new single-stock futures in line with its core strategy of appearing on global investors' radar screens.

Eight local banks led by Siam Commercial Bank and Krung Thai Bank have agreed to arrange Bt45b in financing for Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) to expand its business overseas.

Land and Houses Retail Bank doesn't need foreign strategic partners for short-term expansion as it is likely to have strong capital base after recapitalisation.