Asiamoney - Thailand Coverage

Thailand

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Opinion: Thailand still stained by red shirt recollections

01 Sep 2010 Nations & economies, Editorial
The country is enjoying good GDP growth and a rising stock exchange, but foreign investors look set to stay away until genuine progress is made bridging the gap between the country’s urban and rural populace. It could even mean an early election, writes Chris Wright.
ABC IPO dominates regional ECM volume

12 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Regional equity issuance surges to US$20.4 billion last week, mostly because of the eagerly anticipated IPO of Agricultural Bank of China. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
Thailand’s FDI flows set to suffer from protest fallout

29 Jun 2010 Nations & economies
A long-running political crisis erupted on May 19 into the worst violence that the country has seen in almost two decades. The government must act quickly to restore confidence or investment flows could collapse. Ben Davies reports.
Stimulus measures should boost Thai banks: Tisco

25 Jun 2010 Research report
The Thai brokerage believes that government economic stimulus measures and the country banks should enjoy improving net interest margins once interest rates resume their upwards movement later this year.
Renminbi revaluation will boost south-east Asia stocks

22 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities
Commodities firms, some real estate companies and banks in south-east Asia should benefit from the rise in the renminbi’s value, says Citi.
A week in Asia’s business news

17 Jun 2010 Market wrap
Australia’s three largest miners unify to condemn new mining tax, while Hong Kong’s most expensive property sale falls through. Agricultural Bank of China’s IPO gains sovereign wealth backing, and the Chinese bank also ties up an alliance with Standard Chartered.
A week in Asia's business news

11 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies, Market wrap
Japan gets yet another prime minister, Agricultural Bank of China’s huge IPO looks likely to be smaller than expected, AT&T begins talks with Reliance Communications about buying a stake in the Indian company and New Zealand raises interest rates for the first time in three years.
Inflation a growing problem for Asia, says Moody's

09 Jun 2010 Nations & economies
Sovereign debt problems and geo-political worries make for a cloudier outlook in the region but governments should take care not to ignore rising inflation, warns the debt rating agency.
Asian hedge funds among hardest hit in May

09 Jun 2010 Hedge funds
All regional mandates ended in negative territory last month on the back of equity market volatility and euro-zone sovereign debt trouble. Hedge fund indexes for Eastern Europe & Russia and Asia ex-Japan sank the most, finds Eurekahedge.
Best domestic bank awards: Thailand

07 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the results of our best domestic bank awards for Thailand. Kasikornbank impresses for its concentration on small and medium enterprises amid volatile markets, Tisco Securities impresses with its quality of research, and Siam Commercial Bank stands out for strong debt coverage.
A week in Asia's business news

27 May 2010 Market wrap
China’s president tells the US he favours gradual renminbi currency reform, Prudential’s bid for AIA falls under criticism, Indian billionaire brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani sign a peace deal, and Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek appoints Hsieh Fu Hua as its new president.
Thailand outlook strong despite protests, say analysts

25 May 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds
The country has strong fundamentals in spite of its political problems, say analysts. Its banks face slower loan growth and lower margins but opportunities still exist in the sector.
Emerging Asia stocks to drop 15%: Credit Suisse

24 May 2010 Stock & exchange
Analysts at the Swiss bank believe stocks in emerging Asia still have to drop a further 15% before investors resume buying again. May is also lining up to become the region’s second biggest month for net foreign selling on record.
European troubles unlikely to derail Asian recovery

13 May 2010 Nations & economies
The sovereign debt crisis in the European Union is unlikely to materially slow Asia's economies because rising intra-regional trade will help support growth, predicts HSBC. The problems could encourage some central bankers to keep monetary policy loose.
FTSE and Renaissance launch Asian IPO indices

13 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
The index company has teamed up with Renaissance Capital to launch two indices that focus on IPO performance in Asia. The creators believe they will lead to new exchange-traded funds, structured products and be used as benchmarks by funds.
Citi beats rivals to Thai pension fund mandate

11 May 2010 Cash management
The US bank has won a mandate to act as primary payments bank for Thailand’s Government Pension Fund, which has over a million members and US$10 billion in assets. It is an impressive deal, which Citi is certainly not shy about promoting.
EU loan package to offer Asia markets brief reprieve

10 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Analysts believe that the financial stability package hashed out by European ministers at the weekend will stabilise Asia’s markets and currencies this week, but remain concerned about the longer-term outlook.
Asia deal volumes fall as volatility rises

10 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The number of new equity and bond listings dramatically slowed down last week amid heightened investor risk aversion. Four IPOs were pulled while bond issues fell by half. Asiamoney.com rounds up the region’s capital markets activity.
Civil unrest in Thailand concerns Scotiabank

04 May 2010 M&A, Nations & economies
Canada’s Bank of Nova Scotia, which owns Thailand’s Thanachart Bank, pulled off the country’s biggest acquisition in four years when it bought a stake in Siam City Bank in March. But the unrest that has since unfolded is now a cause for concern.
Business news: the past week in Asia

23 Apr 2010 Market wrap
India’s central bank raises interest rates and drains liquidity from the system, while Bank of Thailand holds its rates as blasts rock Bangkok. China tightens regulations on property sales, and the nation became Japan’s largest export market in the year to March for the first time.
Appeal of ‘green’ buildings growing in Asia: report

19 Apr 2010 Commodities, Energy
The construction of environmentally friendly commercial buildings and the retrofitting of existing towers is gaining interest in Asia, finds a report by the World Resources Institute and HSBC. The practice is being promoted as a money-saver.
Business news: the past week in Asia

16 Apr 2010 Market wrap
President Hu Jintao says he is committed to changing China's currency policy gradually. Also, Singapore and China report surging GDP growth in the first quarter, Thailand’s PM comes under mounting pressure, and Agricultural Bank of China selects underwriters for its IPO.
Economic data strengthens case for Thai rate rise

15 Apr 2010 Nations & economies
Figures suggest the growth recovery is taking shape in Thailand. There is a case for the central bank to raise rates, but political instability may be a determining factor, writes Barclays Capital economist Rahul Bajoria.
Thailand likely to hold off first rate hike this year

14 Apr 2010 Nations & economies, Research report
Despite improving economic indicators, political uncertainties that are damaging commerce and tourism should see the Bank of Thailand hold off on hiking interest rates this month, writes Phatra Securities economist Supavud Saicheua.
Nomura outlines impact of Thai turmoil

13 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Bonds
Political deadlock will weigh on Thailand’s economic growth this year and keep currency appreciation to a minimum, says Nomura in a conference call. A further widening in credit markets is also expected.
Thailand tipped to keep interest rates on hold

12 Apr 2010 Nations & economies, Research report
Inflation data does not suggest the Bank of Thailand will bring forward its first rate hike. But Goldman Sachs economists Pranjul Bhandari and Enoch Fung believe the central bank will need to become more pre-emptive by the middle of the year.
Business news: the past week in Asia

19 Mar 2010 Market wrap
Anti-government riots spill over in Bangkok, Australia’s senate approves laws to strip the ASX of its regulatory function, and Premier Wen Jiabao denies the renminbi is undervalued. Also, S&P lifts ratings on Indonesia and India, and Hutchison Telecom closes in on privatisation.
Country deals of the year: Thailand

02 Feb 2010 M&A, Polls & awards
Bank of Ayudhya’s US$540 million acquisition of AIG Retail Bank and AIG Card (Thailand) was not just the largest completed M&A deal in Thailand last year, it was a real statement of intent from the firm. It wins Asiamoney's award as the country's best deal over the past year.