Thai share prices closed 0.42 percent higher on Tuesday, led by gains in energy-linked stocks while the broader market was kept in check by a lack of fresh leads and a mixed regional performance, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 2.84 points to 675.20 while the blue chip SET 50 index added 1.99 points to 472.99.
Gainers led losers 214 to 115, with 116 stocks unchanged on turnover of 1.56 billion shares worth 11.4 billion baht (324 million dollars). The Thai baht, which last week hit a new nine-year nigh of 35.10 to the dollar, closed firmer at 35.14-15 from Monday's 35.18-20. Against the euro, the Thai currency finished at 46.24-28 from 46.31-37. "The market rose mainly due to gains in energy-related shares," said a market analyst at Capital Nomura Securities. Energy-linked stocks account for nearly 30 percent of the Thai market.
But the analyst said buying sentiment was modest as investors found few new leads in the market and with Asian bourses showing a mixed performance. Thailand's top energy firm PTT rose 2.00 baht to 204.00 but its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production slipped 0.50 to 92.50. Thai Oil added 1.00 to 59.00. Bangkok Bank fell 1.00 to 108.00 while Kasikorn Bank was flat at 64.00. Thai Airways International edged up 0.75 to 44.50, and Thailand's biggest mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, was unchanged at 72.50.