Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Currencies slump, funds flee emerging markets
Business, Published on 08/09/2018
» Recap: Emerging stock markets, especially those in Asia, experienced heavy fund outflows as concerns mounted over the health of emerging economies in general, and contagion impact from the likes of Argentina and Turkey. The Indonesian rupiah hit a two-decade low and the Indian rupee also lost more ground. US-China trade tensions continue to cast a pall over markets as well.
At home in Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 05/02/2018
» The first thing that impressed me about Hideaki Iwasaki, country director for the Thailand Resident Mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was his fluent English. I assumed it was the result of his educational background.
Oil rout drags down shares ahead of fed talks
Business, Published on 19/09/2016
» Recap: Global stock markets plunged last week as investors cashed out ahead of this week's much-awaited US Federal Reserve meeting. Worries over the oil glut also triggered selling of energy stocks, but the Thai market picked up following a recent steep fall.
Charter vote lifts set in good week for stocks
Business, Published on 15/08/2016
» Recap: Asian stock markets advanced last week, buoyed by a big gain in US jobs in July and a slowdown in the decline of Chinese producer prices. The Thai stock market rallied as investors' confidence in political stability improved after voters endorsed the draft constitution by a margin of 61% to 39% in the Aug 7 referendum. The SET was closed on Friday so there has been no market reaction yet to a series of deadly bombings that hit five southern provinces.
Stimulus hopes and chinese gdp cheer stock investors
Business, Published on 18/07/2016
» Recap: Hopes that British and Japanese policymakers would ramp up economic stimulus bolstered risk appetites in global stock markets. China's better-than-expected second-quarter GDP also buoyed sentiment. The Thai market tracked the global trend.
Stocks rally strongly as fed dials back rate hikes
Business, Published on 21/03/2016
» Recap: Global stock markets rallied, propelled by the US Federal Reserve's dovish stance on its policy rate direction. However, the Thai stock market recorded its first weekly loss since Feb 12 as profit-taking capped gains.
Prasert stays richest for Thai shares
Business, Published on 10/12/2015
» Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, founder of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc (BGH) and Bangkok Airways Plc (BA), remains the richest businessman on the Thai stock market for the third consecutive year, with publicly listed shares worth 62 billion baht, up 7.7% from the previous year.
Stocks Gain as US job market roars back
Business, Nuntawun Polkuamdee, Published on 09/11/2015
» Recap: Global stock markets moved up at the end of the week as US jobs data showed a bigger-than-expected rise in non-farm payrolls in October after two months of weakness. As well, a drop in the unemployment rate to 5% increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next month for the first time in almost a decade. The Thai market also advanced.
Asian markets await jobs data with bated breath
Business, Published on 05/10/2015
» Recap: Asian stock markets changed little as investors awaited US jobs data, crucial information for the US Federal Reserve in deciding on its first rate hike in years. However, banking stocks were under selling pressure on investor concerns that larger loan-loss provisions to cushion against rising non-performing loans could erode third-quarter profits.