Nasdaq sinks to 2-month low as bond yields surge #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403281

Nasdaq sinks to 2-month low as bond yields surge

EconMar 04. 2021

By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Rita Nazareth, Claire Ballentine

The renewed bout of Treasury volatility spurred a surge in bond yields on Wednesday, dragging down stocks as investors grappled with concern over stretched valuations.

A sell-off in highflying giants such as Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. overshadowed gains in banks and energy producers. The S&P 500 extended its slide into a second day, the Nasdaq 100 slumped 2.9% to a two-month low, while the Dow Jones industrial average outperformed. Benchmark U.S. government yields approached 1.5%, with bonds pricing in the highest five-year inflation expectations since 2008. Traders also assessed data pointing to a slow and uneven economic recovery from the depths of the pandemic.

The rout in Treasuries has rattled nerves across the globe amid warnings of excessive optimism among equity investors after the S&P 500 surged 70% in 11 months, notching the best start for a bull market in nine decades. While there haven’t been any signs of panic, concerns over lofty valuations have emerged. The U.S. stock benchmark’s earnings yield was about 1.7 percentage points above 10-year rates — the smallest advantage in three years.

“Volatility has picked up a little bit, we’ve had bigger up days and down days,” said James Ragan, director of wealth management research at D.A. Davidson. “The focus is still on rising interest rates and how that’s impacting valuations on some of the higher multiple sectors.”

Data Wednesday showed that growth at U.S. service providers slowed to a nine-month low in February, when severe winter weather gripped much of the nation and limited activity. Meanwhile, the number of employees at U.S. businesses rose by less than expected, underscoring the jobs market’s struggle to recover despite a decline in covid-19 infections in recent weeks.

The U.S. economy expanded modestly in the first two months of the year and sentiment among business owners is picking up as vaccinations bolster the prospects for growth, according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book. President Joe Biden has agreed to moderate Democrats’ demands to narrow eligibility for stimulus checks, but party leaders in the Senate are resisting a push to trim extra unemployment benefits as they try to consolidate support for the $1.9 trillion bill, a Democratic aide said.

Elsewhere, oil jumped on a government report showing a record drop in domestic fuel inventories in the aftermath of a deep freeze that shuttered refineries in the U.S. South.

These are some of the moves in markets:

Stocks

–The S&P 500 declined 1.3% as of 4 p.m. EST.

–The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was little changed.

–The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 1%.

–The MSCI Emerging Market Index advanced 1.3%.

Currencies

–The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gained 0.3%.

–The euro decreased 0.2% to $1.2066.

–The Japanese yen depreciated 0.3% to 106.96 per dollar.

Bonds

–The yield on 10-year Treasurys jumped eight basis points to 1.47%.

–Germany’s 10-year yield climbed six basis points to -0.29%.

–Britain’s 10-year yield rose nine basis points to 0.779%.

Commodities

–West Texas Intermediate crude advanced 2.5% to $61.22 a barrel.

–Gold slid 1.3% to $1,715.25 an ounce.

–Silver sank 2.1% to $26.19 per ounce.

SET gains over 2.5% as foreign investors pile in #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403270

SET gains over 2.5% as foreign investors pile in

EconMar 03. 2021

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,543.40 on Wednesday, up 40.04 points or 2.66 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt118.27 billion with an index high of 1,543.48 and a low of 1,510.07.

The SET was buoyed by foreign investors buying up stocks that showed improving performance at the end of last year.

In the morning session, a Krungsri Securities analyst forecast the day’s index would fluctuate between 1,495 and 1,515 points despite the US approving $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus measures.

Concern at a possible oil price drop amid expectations that the Opec+ grouping will increase production at their meeting on Thursday, plus a warning of bubble risks in foreign markets from China’s bank regulator, would pressure the index, he said.

The 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were CPALL, AOT, STA, OR, CPF, PTT, BBL, KBANK, COM7 and SAWAD.

Other Asian indices were on the rise:

Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 29,559.10, up 150.93 points or 0.51 per cent.

China’s Shang Hai SE Composite Index closed at 3,576.90, up 68.31 points or 1.95 per cent, while the Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 14,932.38, up 181.27 points or 1.23 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 29,880.42, up 784.56 points or 2.70 per cent.

South Korea’s KOSPI closed at 3,082.99, up 39.12 points or 1.29 per cent.

Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 16,211.73, up 264.85 points or 1.66 per cent.

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403258

Lack of Covid jab for youngsters will make family vacations to Thailand impossible: Krungthai Compass

EconMar 03. 2021

By The Nation

Even after the country reopens, the number of tourists visiting Thailand this year will remain low because family vacations are not yet possible, Krungthai Compass research centre said.

Kittipong Rueanthip, a senior economist at Krungthai Compass, pointed out that there is still no Covid-19 vaccine for children below the age of 16, and all tourists will have to get a Covid-19 jab before travelling.

“Many countries have agreed to issue a vaccine passport for tourists who have already received the Covid-19 vaccine,” he said.

He added that most tourists come to Thailand with their family, relatives and friends, citing a Tourism and Sports Ministry survey.

“Some 73.2 per cent of all foreign arrivals in 2015 had travelled with their family and friends, and this rose to 78.5 per cent in 2018. Also, 85 per cent of the tourists who travelled with their family brought their children too,” he said. “Hence, there will be a big change in tourism this year and next as we will see more solo travellers or couples.”

He added that Krungthai Compass expects some 2.4 million foreign arrivals in Thailand this year as many people will not have received their Covid-19 jab by the third quarter.

“Hence, the government should promote other types of tourism, like medical and wellness tourism, which have gained popularity among foreign tourists. Tourism businesses should also support their marketing strategy to support other types of tourism as well,” he added.

Cabinet okays MoU on expanding trade cooperation with Russia, targets $10 billion #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403257

Cabinet okays MoU on expanding trade cooperation with Russia, targets $10 billion

EconMar 03. 2021

By The Nation

At its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet gave the green light to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Thailand and Russia.

The objective of the MoU is to enhance and strengthen relations, as well as expand economic cooperation and technological development.

The Thai-Russian Trade and Economic Cooperation subcommittee has set a trade-value target of US$10 billion by 2023 and will discuss cooperation on a sector-by-sector basis, such as:

• Agriculture: Russia urged to consider importing Thai agricultural produce and rubber.

• Industry: Both sides eyeing a joint working group on industrial development.

• Technology: Russia keen on cooperating in advanced technology fields with Thailand’s Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry and collaborate in quantum engineering, DNA, data storage and nanorobotics among others.

• Business: Both countries want to promote business activities via online platforms such as online business matching and virtual trade fairs.

• Multilateral and regional cooperation: Thailand wants Russia to support FTA negotiations between Thailand and the Eurasia Economic Union.

• Banking and Finance: Russia wants Thailand to support the use of the MIR card for the convenience of Russian tourists in a bid to accelerate tourism recovery after the Covid crisis.

Tech leads stock losses amid valuation warnings #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403248

Tech leads stock losses amid valuation warnings

EconMar 03. 2021

By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Rita Nazareth, Claire Ballentine

U.S. stocks dropped after the biggest rally in nine months spurred speculation about excessive investor optimism. Treasuries stabilized, following a recent spike in yields. The dollar retreated.

Technology shares led losses in the S&P 500 as giants Apple Inc. and Tesla Inc. dragged down the Nasdaq 100 — with the electric-car maker tumbling more than 4%. Target Corp. slumped on an underwhelming profitability outlook. Rocket Cos., a Detroit-based holding company, soared after a news report that the stock could become a Reddit target for its high short-interest.

Bullishness among Wall Street strategists is near levels that have presaged potential trouble for stocks, according to a Bank of America Corp. gauge. The measure assesses the average recommended allocation to equities and is close to triggering a sell signal. A valuation methodology, sometimes called Fed model that compares corporate profits to bond rates, recently showed stocks were losing their edge. Earlier Tuesday, China’s top banking regulator said he’s “very worried” about risks from bubbles in global financial markets.

Last week, the correlation between real yields and U.S. equities dropped to its most-negative level in five years. That strong inverse relationship suggests inflation-adjusted Treasury rates have reached a point where further gains could quickly send the S&P 500 lower — as they feed into steeper borrowing costs and lessen the appeal of other assets. The benchmark gauge of American shares has surged more than 70% from its March 2020 lows.

For Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, rising rates are seen as an important element of what’s “giving investors pause at this point in time.” He also noted that they’re relevant when it comes to figuring out the appropriate level of valuations against the stream of corporate earnings.

“Did we come too far, too fast in pricing in a strong economy and corporate earnings recovery?” he said.

These are some of the main moves in markets:

Stocks

– The S&P 500 fell 0.8% as of 4 p.m. EST.

– The Stoxx Europe 600 Index increased 0.2%.

– The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.4%.

– The MSCI Emerging Market Index decreased 0.1%.

Currencies

– The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index decreased 0.3%.

– The euro gained 0.3% to $1.2089.

– The Japanese yen was unchanged at 106.76 per dollar.

Bonds

– The yield on 10-year Treasurys dipped one basis point to 1.41%.

– Germany’s 10-year yield dipped two basis points to -0.35%.

– Britain’s 10-year yield decreased seven basis points to 0.687%.

Commodities

– West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.7% to $59.59 a barrel.

– Gold rose 0.5% to $1,734.01 an ounce.

– Silver added 0.6% to $26.72 per ounce.

Thai shares climb, but worries over Opec+ decision and bubble risks cast shadow #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403242

Thai shares climb, but worries over Opec+ decision and bubble risks cast shadow

EconMar 03. 2021

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 11.27 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 1,514.63 in the morning session on Wednesday.

A Krungsri Securities analyst forecast that the day’s index would fluctuate between 1,495 and 1,515 points despite the US approving $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus measures.

Uncertainty over a falling oil price due to expectations that the Opec+ grouping would commit to increasing production during a meeting on Thursday, plus China’s top bank regulator warning of bubble risks in foreign markets, would pressure the index, he said.

He recommended investors buy:

▪︎ AOT, MINT, CENTEL, CPN, CRC and MAJOR, which benefit from positive news of a Covid-19 vaccine in Thailand.

▪︎ HANA, KCE, TU and CPF, which benefit from the weakening baht.

▪︎ CBG, ICHI, SAPPE, RBF, DOD and PTG, which benefit from positive news on hemp production and its general use.

The SET Index closed at 1,503.36 on Tuesday, up 2.44 points or 0.16 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt88.90 billion, with an index high of 1,509.65 points and a low of 1,500.80.

Gold price rebounds after dropping on Tuesday #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403241

Gold price rebounds after dropping on Tuesday

EconMar 03. 2021

By The Nation

The price of gold rose by Bt100 per baht weight in morning trade on Wednesday, the Gold Traders Association reported.

As of 9.29am, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt24,800 per baht weight and selling price Bt24,900 while gold ornaments cost Bt24,346.96 and Bt25,400, respectively.

At close on Tuesday, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt24,700 per baht weight and selling price Bt24,800 while gold ornaments cost Bt24,256 and Bt25,300, respectively.

The spot gold price on Wednesday moved to US$1,733 (Bt52,500) per ounce after rising by $10.60 to $1,733.60 on Tuesday, thanks to mass buy-ups of the precious metal after its price fell to the lowest level in more than eight months. The gold price also gained positive sentiment from a decrease in the US Treasury yield.

The Hong Kong gold price meanwhile rose by HK$160 to $16,050 (Bt62,675) per tael, the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society reported.

Thai stocks edge up, bucking Asian trend #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403225

Thai stocks edge up, bucking Asian trend

EconMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,503.36 on Tuesday, up 2.44 points or 0.16 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt88.90 billion with an index high of 1,509.65 and a low of 1,500.80.

In the morning session, a Krungsri Securities analyst expected the day’s index to fluctuate between 1,490 and 1,510 points despite the US approving a US$1.9-trillion economic stimulus package.

Uncertainty over the rise in US Treasury bond yields, plus the falling oil price due to expectations that Opec+ will increase production at its meeting on Thursday, would pressure the index, he said.

The 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were STA, OR, COM7, CPALL, PTT, CPF, PTG, SAWAD, SCB and AOT.

Other Asian indices were mostly down:

Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 29,408.17, down 255.33 points or 0.86 per cent.

China’s Shang Hai SE Composite Index closed at 3,508.59, down 42.81 points or 1.21 per cent, while the Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 14,751.12, down 106.23 points or 0.71 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 29,095.86, down 356.71 points or 1.21 per cent.

Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 15,946.88, down 6.92 points or 0.043 per cent.

The exception was South Korea’s KOSPI, which closed at 3,043.87, up 30.92 points or 1.03 per cent.

SET up marginally but could be pressured if Opec+ allows hike in oil output #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403206

SET up marginally but could be pressured if Opec+ allows hike in oil output

EconMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 5.42 points, or 0.36 per cent, to 1,506.34 in the morning session on Tuesday.

A Krungsri Securities analyst expected the day’s index to fluctuate between 1,490 and 1,510 points despite the US approving a US$1.9-trillion economic stimulus package.

Uncertainty over the rise in US Treasury yield, together with the falling oil price due to an expectation that Opec+ would increase production during the meeting on Thursday, would pressure the index, he said.

He recommended that investors buy:

▪︎ AOT, MINT, CENTEL, CPN, CRC and MAJOR, which benefit from positive news of the Covid-19 vaccine in Thailand.

▪︎ HANA, KCE, TU and CPF, which benefit from the weakening baht.

▪︎ CBG, ICHI, SAPPE, RBF, DOD and PTG, which benefit from positive news on hemp production and its general use.

The SET Index on Monday closed at 1,500.92, up 4.14 points or 0.28 per cent. The volume of total transactions was Bt84.56 billion with an index high of 1,505.61 and a low of 1,487.99.

Gold plunges as rising dollar and US stock indices prompt sell-offs #SootinClaimon.Com

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30403202

Gold plunges as rising dollar and US stock indices prompt sell-offs

EconMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

The price of gold slumped by Bt450 per baht weight in morning trade on Tuesday, the Gold Traders Association reported.

As of 9.26am, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt24,550 per baht weight and selling price Bt24,650, while gold ornaments were priced at Bt24,104.40 and Bt25,150, respectively.

At close on Saturday, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt25,000 per baht weight and selling price Bt25,100, while gold ornaments were Bt24,544.04 and Bt25,600, respectively.

Spot gold price moved to US$1,715 (Bt51,985) per ounce after falling by $5.8 to $1,723 on Monday due to mass sell-offs of the precious metal in response to rising US stock indices and the strengthening dollar.

Hong Kong gold price dropped by HK$240 to $15,980 (Bt62,438) per tael, the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society reported.