Thai share prices closed 0.57 percent higher on Monday as investors remained positive after concerns eased over rising US interest rates and Thai inflation, dealers said. They also said that although turnover reached a three-year low, the stock market's performance was in line with regional markets.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 4.08 points to close at 721.58, while the blue chip SET 50 index gained 3.81 points to 499.74.
Losers outpaced gainers 177 to 137 and 110 stocks were unchanged with 1.2 billion shares worth 6.4 billion baht (167.3 million dollars) traded.
The Thai baht Monday closed unchanged from Friday's 38.14-17 against the dollar.
Against the euro, the Thai currency closed at 48.67-72, little changed compared with Friday's 48.86-90.
"The turnover is not too much, but the market index is in line with regional markets," said Sukit Udomsirikul, head of research at Siam City Securities. "Investors are less concerned about the interest rates and inflation. It's a positive sentiment."
Wall Street rebounded Thursday following the US government's announcement that first-quarter growth in the world's biggest economy hit 5.3 percent, outshining an earlier estimate of 4.8 percent.
The revised data showed investors that the US economy was strong after weeks of anxiety over a possible rise in US interest rates, but they still remained cautious pending further information on other US economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate.
"Normally, when the market improves or rebounds and the prospects are unclear, the investors don't have much confidence jumping in right away," Sukit said of the low turnover rate. "We have to wait another week to see that the market has bottomed out and that the indicators are all positive."
Shares in Thailand's top energy firm PTT edged up 4.00 to 246.00 baht and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 3.00 to 115.00.
Thailand's top lender Bangkok Bank rose 1.00 to 107.00, and Kasikorn Bank, the third-largest bank, was unchanged at 62.50.
Thai Airways International also stayed flat at 46.25.
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