SET slides over fears of second wave of Covid-19 infections
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index dropped 40.57 points or 2.93 per cent to close at 1,341.99 today (June 15). Total transaction volume was Bt83.379 billion with an index high of 1,379.78 and a low of 1,338.25.
During the morning session, a stock analyst at Krungsri Securities said he expected the index to between 1,370 and 1,375 points due to uncertainty following a second wave of Covid-19 infections in China and Japan, where there have been 49 and 47 new cases respectively.
“The number of new Covid-19 cases in some US states such as Arizona, South Carolina and Texas have risen due to the easing of some lockdown measures,” he said.
“The index is also under pressure from the drop in crude oil prices as uncertainty over the second wave of Covid-19 infections will lead to lower demands for oil.”
However, he said, he expects the index to rebound in response to the lifting of curfew and final easing of restrictions.
“Investors also expect SET to announce stocks to be added to the SET50 and SET100 this week,” he added.
The top 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were BAM, KBANK, SUPER, MINT, PTT, INUTCH, ADVANC, BBL, SCB, and AOT.
As of 4.30pm, the price of crude oil dropped by US$0.78 or 2.15 per cent to $35.48 per barrel, while gold dropped by $14.70 or 0.85 per cent, to $1,722.60 per ounce.
The global indices were on the slide:
Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 21,530.95, down 774.53 points, or 3.47 per cent.
China’s Shanghai SE Composite Index closed at 2,890.03, down 29.71 points, or 1.02 per cent, while Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 11,192.27, down 59.43 points, or 0.53 per cent.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 23,776.95, down 524.43 points, or 2.16 per cent.
South Korea’s KOSPI Index closed at 2,030.82, down 101.48 points, or 4.76 per cent.
Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 11,306.26, down 123.68 points, or 1.08 per cent.
