Thai share prices closed 1.19 percent higher on Wednesday, reaching a six-month high following gains in the energy and banking sectors, driven by record oil prices, dealers said. The price of oil hit a new high of 130 dollars a barrel on Wednesday owing to strong demand and a weak dollar.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 10.37 points to close at 884.19 and the blue chip SET 50 index gained 8.75 to 642.16. Gainers led losers 182 to 155, with 122 stocks unchanged on turnover of 5.7 billion shares worth 28.9 billion baht (905.9 million dollars). The Thai baht rose against the dollar in line with regional currencies, finishing Wednesday at 31.88-90 baht from Tuesday's 32.06-08.
The banking index rose 2.18 percent and energy index added 1.82 percent. Energy blue chip stocks PTT Exploration and Production rose 10.00 to close at 208.00 baht while its parent company PTT Plc rose 4.00 baht to 380.00 baht. Kasikornbank rose 2.50 to 90.00, and Siam Commercial Bank rose 3.50 to 97.00.