Showing 1 - 10 of 705
Baht fundamentals have deteriorated
Business, Published on 23/05/2024
» Uncertainty surrounding the US interest rate trajectory, alongside geopolitical tensions, underpin much of the baht's weakness so far this year. We think the baht will trade sideways and reach 37.50 to the US dollar by year-end once these temporary factors subside.
MINT Q1 Profits Surge to THB 1,146M
Published on 15/05/2024
» Minor International Public Company Limited (“MINT”) on May 14, 2024, announced its first quarter 2024 financial results, posting a net profit of THB 1,146 million in 1Q24 notwithstanding 1Q being the low season for its most significant contributor, its European hotel business. This profit represented a significant improvement from a THB 976 million loss in 1Q23 and was attributable to stronger performance across all business units as well as favourable foreign exchange movements. At the core level, MINT recorded a core net loss of THB 352 million in 1Q24 (due to aforementioned seasonality of the European hotel business), representing a 46% improvement (less loss) from a core net loss of THB 647 million in 1Q23. MINT’s hotel and restaurant businesses both reported robust financial performance in 1Q24 from continued rising demand, which enabled the Company to implement strategic dynamic pricing, drive increased dine-in traffic and lock in further cost optimisation. Minor Hotels Thailand, Minor Hotels Australia and Minor Food all saw double-digit year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, Minor Hotels Europe and the Americas outperformed expectations by narrowing their y-y quarterly losses.
Thai banks eye regional expansion
Business, Somruedi Banchongduang, Published on 16/04/2024
» Driven by the growth potential of Asean economies, large local banks are likely to see significant opportunities to expand their regional business and enhance their revenue prospects, according to Fitch Ratings Thailand.
S&P, Fitch say govt debt binge poses risk to fiscal consolidation
Published on 05/04/2024
» The government’s surprise move this week to take on more debt to stimulate the economy risks a setback for its fiscal consolidation efforts though it’s likely to accelerate growth in the near-term, according to ratings companies.
Thai banks told to focus on tech as returns wane
Business, Somruedi Banchongduang, Published on 03/04/2024
» Thai banks are being urged to ramp up their technology transformation efforts to enhance their income after a study found they had the lowest return on equity (ROE) ratio in the region, despite maintaining strong competitiveness compared with their regional peers.
Property tycoon ‘embezzled $12bn’ in Vietnam’s biggest fraud case
Published on 03/03/2024
» For several years, Truong My Lan held meetings on the 39th floor of the sleek Times Square tower in the heart of Vietnam’s commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City. There, in a room that acted as her command centre, she allegedly wove a $12 billion tapestry of fraud and corruption, according to the police reports that form the basis of a court case against her.
Cash gifts, free milk raise risks to Thailand, Indonesia ratings
Bloomberg News, Published on 27/02/2024
» JAKARTA/BANGKOK - Southeast Asia’s new leaders risk blowing past budget constraints to make good on costly campaign promises of cash handouts and free lunches, increasing the risks to their prized investment-grade ratings.
A tale of nickel and copper
News, David Fickling, Published on 23/02/2024
» The world's biggest miner, BHP Group Ltd, grew powerful by building dominant positions in producing the minerals of the future. That makes the challenges it's facing with two key clean-tech ingredients a sobering lesson for the energy transition.
Red Sea disruptions and the geopolitical premium
Business, Published on 07/02/2024
» Shipping disruptions and re-routing away from the Red Sea will maintain the geopolitical premium in the main commodity markets, including oil and gas, chemicals and fertilisers, unless there are wider shipping -- or production -- disruptions in the region, according to Fitch Ratings.
Saudis ‘need higher oil prices to balance budget’
Published on 06/02/2024
» Saudi Arabia will need oil prices to average more than $90 a barrel this year to balance its budget, according to Fitch Ratings, which affirmed the kingdom at the fifth-highest investment grade but warned about its heavy reliance on energy.