SET gain extended today
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The Stock Exchange of Thailand continued its recovery today, with a gain of 1.80 per cent in the morning, thanks to the likelihood that US interest rate would not be raised until mid-2015.
As the morning session ended, the SET index edged 26.62 points higher to 1,506.82 points, extending yesterday's 18.46 points gain or 1.26 per cent.
The index edged higher at the close, gaining 36.59 points or 2.47 per cent to end the day at 1,516.79 points. Turnover was low, though, at Bt52 billion.
In the past three months, the index lost 5.76 per cent. Due to the recent plunge, the year-to-date gain narrowed to 13.97 per cent from 25 per cent.
The Thai market had lost by over 100 points in the previous seven days, from 1599.82 points on November 27.
Asian markets rallied Thursday with investors rushing back after a recent sell-off, spurred by a Wall Street recovery and an indication from the US Federal Reserve that interest rates will not likely rise until mid-2015.
While bank policymakers were reticent to give a firm date, their language indicated a change in tack, which analysts said suggested a rise in the first six months of the year. That lit a fire under the dollar.
Easing concerns about Russia's economy and a pick-up in oil prices also provided support to regional shares, with bargain-buyers making their move.
Tokyo climbed 2.32 per cent, or 390.32 points, to 17,210.05 as the greenback advanced against the dollar, while Sydney jumped 0.95 per cent, or 48.9 points, to close at 5,210.8.
In late trade Hong Kong was 1.02 per cent higher and Shanghai added 0.66 per cent.
However, Seoul bucked the trend to end 0.14 per cent lower, dipping 2.66 points to 1,897.50.
The Fed's policy committee said it "judges that it can be patient in beginning to normalise the stance of monetary policy", adding that the decision will depend on economic data.
Policy, it said, was consistent with its prior statement that it would only begin raising rates "a considerable time" after its massive stimulus programme ended in October.
Although the change in language was subtle, "it was nevertheless a modification consistent with the view that rates are likely to rise in the first half of next year", said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.
The news sent US shares surging. The Dow rose 1.69 per cent, the S&P 500 soared 2.04 per cent and the Nasdaq jumped 2.12 per cent.
And on currency markets the dollar surged in New York to 118.63 yen from 117.07 yen in Tokyo earlier Wednesday. In Asian trade Thursday the greenback was at 118.57 yen.
The euro bought 146.34 yen and $1.2341 compared with 146.43 yen and $1.2343.
Adding to the positive sentiment was news that oil supplies in the United States had dipped, pushing crude prices up slightly Wednesday and providing some respite from a recent plunge.
On Thursday in Asia US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery was flat at $56.47 while Brent crude for February added 10 cents to $61.28.
Also, analysts said Russian moves to stabilise the ruble, which touched a record low against the dollar this week, seemed to be working.
Russia said it would sell about $7 billion in foreign reserves to prop up its currency and also implement other measures to prevent a sell-off - soothing fears about Moscow's economic troubles spreading to the eurozone.
The moves helped the ruble to 61.50 against the dollar - well up from the 80 touched on Tuesday.
