Thai bourse gains 63% in 2009 from 2008

BANGKOK, Jan 1 (TNA) -- Despite economic problems within and outside Thailand along with the domestic political crisis, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index in 2009 soared 63 per cent above 2008, while the daily average turnover last year was about Bt17.9 billion, up 12.5 per cent from 2008, said SET president Pattareeya Benjapolchai.

The SET index on December 30, the last trading day of 2008, the market stood at 734.54 points.

The smaller Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) closed at 215.30 points on the same day, a rise of some 32 per cent from a year ago, while daily average turnover was at Bt372 million, an increase of some 50 per cent from the year before.

As of December 29, foreign investors were the largest net buyers with total net investment of Bt38.5 billion, and were net sellers of Bt162.3 billion in 2008.

Six firms were listed on the main bourse and 11 companies were listed on the MAI in 2009. The newly listed firms mobilised funds of Bt6.2 billion.

Mrs Pattareeya said the SET had laid out four strategies to implement in 2010, with an aim to increase its potential and to drive the national economy.

The strategies are to boost the quality and upgrading confidence in the SET, increasing liquidity, building future fundamentals, and preparing for SET restructuring, as it will become a public company, she said. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010/1/1

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Apple Computer almost tripled during the same time period.

2008 to 2009 (but missing the total nose dive in October/November 2008).

So, the Thai market is trading back up to the point it was at 21 years ago. Nice.