#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Oil rises with prospect for U.S. stimulus buoying demand outlook

EconAug 10. 2020

By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Andres Guerra Luz, Alex Longley · BUSINESS, US-GLOBAL-MARKETS 

Oil surged as signals from Washington pointed to the growing likelihood for an economic stimulus deal that could boost consumption.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a CNBC interview that he thinks Democrats want to compromise, making a deal on the next pandemic relief package possible. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump signed executive orders diverting disaster money to boost unemployment insurance, and suspending a collection of payroll taxes for some workers. Further boosting sentiment, crude demand in Asia is almost back to pre-virus levels, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said Sunday.

“The big thing today is progress on the executive orders,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Price Futures Group Inc. “At least there will be more money in the economy from that and that should give us a little bit of a boost.”

West Texas Intermediate for September delivery rose 94 cents to $42.16 a barrel as of 10:16 a.m. in New York. Brent for October settlement climbed 69 cents to $45.09 a barrel.

Oil is on the precipice of breaking through the top end of the range where it’s been stalling for months, but remains weighed down by the coronavirus pandemic flareup that’s casting doubt on a sustained economic rebound. Adding to the price pressure, the OPEC+ alliance is unleashing crude back onto the market this month following historic output cuts.

“For now, oil continues to fluctuate in a narrow band,” searching for a catalyst to break out, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas SA. “It looks like oil is in for another week of trading sideways.”

Yet, in a sign of recovering consumption, the quantity of commercial flights around the world rose almost 6% in the seven days to Sunday, according to FlightRadar24 data. The average number of 67,000 planes in the sky was still far below the more than 100,000 pre-Covid.

“We are seeing a partial recovery in the energy market as countries around the world take steps to ease restrictions and reboot their economies,” Nasser said.

Still, there are lingering concerns over the pace of the recovery. The 3-2-1 refining margin for combined gasoline and diesel against U.S. WTI — a rough profit gauge for processing a barrel of crude — was at its weakest level since June on Friday before rebounding slightly Monday.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Escalating US-China conflict, dropping oil prices pull down SET

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index dropped 2.39 points or 0.18 per cent, closing at 1,322.01 today (August 10). The total transactions tallied at Bt37.417 billion with an index high of 1,330.17 and a low of 1,321.90.

During the morning session, an analyst from Krungsri Securities said he expected the index to fluctuate between 1,315 and 1,335, despite the market gaining positive sentiment from strong US economic data.

“In July, non-farming payroll in the US rose by 1.763 million positions, while its unemployment rate dropped to 10.2 per cent,” he said. “Investors also expect US lawmakers to reach an agreement soon on a $1-trillion stimulus package.”

However, the analyst said the US-China conflict, falling oil prices and mass sell-offs will pressure the index.

“The US-China conflict escalated recently when Washington banned China’s TikTok and WeChat applications, while the price of oil dropped due to uncertainty over decline in fuel demand as Covid-19 cases continue to rise,” he said.

The top 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were CBG, NER, STA, AOT, EA, PTT, STGT, UTP, CPF and ADVANC.

As of 4.30pm, the price of crude oil rose by $0.69 or 1.67 per cent to $41.91 per barrel, while gold rose by $15.40 or 0.76 per cent, to $2,043.40 per ounce.

Other Asian indices were mixed:

China’s Shanghai SE Composite Index closed at 3,379.25, up 25.22 points, or 0.75 per cent, while Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 13,657.31, up 8.81 points, or 0.065 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 24,377.43, down 154.19 points, or 0.63 per cent.

South Korea’s KOSPI Index closed at 2,386.38, up 34.71 points, or 1.48 per cent.

Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 12,894, up 65.13 points, or 0.51 per cent.

Japan’s Nikkei Index was closed for Mountain Day public holiday on Monday (August 10).

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thailand’s 5G success lies in 3.5GHz band, says GSMA chief

EconAug 10. 2020John Giusti, chief regulatory officer for GSMA

By The Nation

The key to Thailand’s progress in digital technology is 5G in the 3.5GHz bandwidth, said John Giusti, chief regulatory officer for GSMA (GSM Association), an industry organisation that represents the interests of mobile network providers worldwide.

Thailand has the right aspirations and looks set to become a logistics and manufacturing powerhouse in the near future, he said, adding that world-class 5G services will help it achieve these goals, especially with the right number of new harmonised mobile spectra.

For Thailand, licensing 2.6GHz was a valuable first step, but spectrum in the popular 3.5GHz range is also necessary to offer full-fledged 5G services, Giusti said.

5G is growing rapidly and its initial performance in commercial networks is already showing the technology’s phenomenal potential. The Covid-19 pandemic has also shone a spotlight on the value of connectivity.

The potential for socio-economic growth powered by 5G-enhanced remote healthcare and education, industrial automation, next-generation transport and more fits perfectly with Thailand’s 4.0 aspirations.

However, to unlock the full potential of 5G services, governments need to make the right decisions. 5G’s speed, reach and quality depends on governments and regulators supporting timely access to the right amount and type of affordable spectra under the right conditions. The amount and price of spectra also will also directly impact the competitiveness of national economies and can slow or accelerate progress.

Giusti said to flourish, 5G needs spectrum across low- (sub-1GHz), mid- (2.6 and 3.5GHz) and high-bandwidths (mmWaves). Frequencies in the 3.5GHz range are being used for the first 5G implementation in many parts of the world. This range includes frequencies between 3.3-4.2GHz, and 80-100MHz of contiguous spectrum in the band, which is essential for each operator to maximise its capabilities at affordable prices in the first phase of roll out.

The mid-range spectrum has become the birthplace of 5G, and will continue being key for mobile operators in the long-term because it sits at a balancing point between coverage and capacity, and as such as provided the perfect environment for early 5G connectivity.

This initial focus, particularly on the 3.5GHz range, allows for the scale needed to bring down the cost of network equipment and mobile devices. Harmonisation has always played a key role in the success of mobile networks and 5G is no different. It will bring the benefits of 5G to as many Thais as possible.

Giusti said more spectra in the mid-band range is required for current and future demand increases. 5G pioneer South Korea, whose operators offer some of the fastest 5G speeds in the world, is already preparing for that fact.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry announced in June that it had decided to reallocate 3.7GHz to 4.0GHz spectra for 5G. It is currently used for satellite communication and the ministry is working towards having this valuable resource used more efficiently via mobile services.

Many countries in the region are also realising the importance of the 3.5GHz range, with Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia release portions of that band for 5G services.

Singapore has released the lower portion of the 3.5GHz band, while Malaysia has identified 3.5GHz as the best band for 5G and is currently working on the technical processes.

Thailand took an important step when it assigned 2.6GHz, but that is not enough to keep up with the Asean 5G race. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) is taking commendable steps as it prepares for the release of the 3.5GHz range for 5G, which will boost its competitiveness against any other country in the region.

Mobile operators, as well as the whole mobile ecosystem, have a long history of working with governments and regulators to address any potential challenges. For 5G, that includes coexistence with other technologies such as TV and satellite services. Overcoming these in the best way can impact the kind of 5G that can be offered and the socio-economic benefits.

At this critical juncture, the mobile industry stands ready to work with NBTC and the government to find ways of promptly releasing 80 to 100MHz of spectrum per operator in the 3.5GHz rage.

Thailand will be able to fully unlock the power of 5G to enable a variety of business-to-business services, such as industrial automation, autonomous drones and Internet of Things, thorough 5G network slicing, that will provide high-performance connectivity to drive innovation.

This will bring the quality of the full 5G experience to consumers and corporations in the short-term to further support Thailand 4.0 and the country’s aspirations, Giusti added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

New rules drafted to rein in online food delivery services

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

The Trade Competition Commission has drafted rules to prevent online food delivery services exploiting restaurants, said commissioner Santichai Santawanpas.

The new food delivery service guidelines will be put to a public hearing soon.

The move reflects the commission’s efforts to catch up with “new normal” trends in the food business following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The online food delivery service is booming as consumers increasingly prefer to order meals from home rather that dine out and face risk of infection.

He said that the commission has already discussed plans for the guidelines with all related parties, who have raised no objections.

The guidelines include banning online food delivery operators from asking for an unreasonably high share of revenue from eateries.

They will also have to inform restaurants in advance whenever they want to change their rates or methods of collecting shared benefits.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Food delivery business booms amid Covid-19 outbreak

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

With Covid-19 restrictions forcing people to stay at home, food delivery business has been booming over the past four months.

As many as 20,000 small and medium-sized restaurants joined food delivery platforms in the first half of this year, with the number of food deliveries growing by 150 per cent compared to the same period last year. Also, many new operators have entered the food-delivery market, which was dominated by four major players – Foodpanda, Lineman, Grab Food and GET Food.

The Kasikorn Research Centre predicts intense competition in the food-delivery business in the second half now that there are more local and foreign players. Besides, many Thai operators are following a brand new business model, such as keeping prices down by not collecting service fees from restaurants, adding extra features to their apps and even giving customers a chance to compare prices.

The research centre, however, believes that the boom in food delivery business may ease in the second half, unless there is a second wave of Covid-19 infections, which may again force people to stay at home.

Kasikorn estimated that the food-delivery industry will grow by 17 per cent in the second half compared to the same period last year, but this number may grow exponentially to 78 to 84 per cent if Covid-19 infections return.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thai food processors eye growing cricket market

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

The Thai Food Processors Association (TFPA) is aiming to invest in cricket products, as the demand from international consumers is increasing, TFPA chairman Wisit Lamlumcha said.

Even though the target groups are limited, cricket is believed to be a refreshing new menu and is high in nutrients while consumers are still selective due to its production, he said.

The growing markets are located in the United States, China, Europe and South America where healthy food is a trend. Crickets are high in protein and they are an alternative for consumers who do not eat meat.

Cricket exports have made Bt9 million a year and Thailand’s northeastern region is trying to increase the quantity as the current production capacity is 7,000 tonnes a year, Wisit said.

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards and the Department of Livestock Development are encouraging cricket farmers in 10 provinces with a total 848.5 rai (136 hectares) of cricket farms.

Wisit said that the price in the US, EU, Japan and China was Bt100-Bt200 a kilogram but the value of cricket pellets jumped to Bt1,000-Bt1,800 per kg.

Napadol Thongmee, the director of the Thai Trade Centre in New York, said that cricket products tended to expand in the US due to the size of the market, allowing niche markets to be established.

The target groups are shops in museums and zoos, Hispanic people who normally consume insects, and people who are running a movement to enhance insect consumption.

“If Thai entrepreneurs receive USFDA to guarantee the products’ standards, the market will be bigger,” Napadol said.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

US data lifts market but tensions with China needs close watching

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 3.76 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,328.16 on Monday morning (August 10).

A stock analyst at Krungsri Securities expected the index to fluctuate between 1,315 and 1,335, despite the market gaining positive sentiment from strong US economic data.

“In July this year, the US non-farm payroll rose by 1.763 million positions, while the US unemployment rate dropped to 10.2 per cent,” he said.

“Also, investors expect lawmakers to reach an agreement soon on a $1-trillion economic stimulus package.”

However, the analyst said a US-China conflict, falling oil price and mass sell-offs in stocks would pressure the index.

“Recently, the US-China conflict escalated after the US banned China’s TikTok and WeChat applications, while oil price dropped due to uncertainty over decline in fuel demand after the number of Covid-19 patients continued to increase,” he said.

The analyst advised investors to follow TASCO, ASIAN, JMT, BANPU, IRPC, TOP and PTT’s second-quarter performance announcements on Monday.

The SET Index on Friday (August 7) closed at 1,324.40, down 8.82 points or 0.66 per cent. Total transactions stood at Bt44.367 billion with an index high of 1,333.21 and a low of 1,321.16.

He recommended that investors buy:

▪︎ Stocks whose second-quarter performance will improve, such as TOP, SPRC, BGRIM, CPF, TU, ASIAN, TASCO, STA, STGT, AP, PRM, PTL, AJ, TQM, JMT, CHAYO, PTG and BCH.

▪︎ Electronic stocks that benefit from work from home, 5G trends and the weakening baht, such as KCE, DELTA, HANA and SVI.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Selling spree pulls gold price down

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

The price of gold dropped by Bt100 per baht weight in morning trade on Monday (August 10), the Gold Traders Association reported.

As of 9.24am, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt29,800 per baht weight and selling price Bt29,900, while gold ornaments cost Bt29,258.80 and Bt30,400, respectively.

At close on Saturday (August 8) the buying price of a gold bar was Bt29,900 per baht weight and selling price Bt30,000, while gold ornaments cost Bt29,364.92 and Bt30,500, respectively.

The Comex (Commodity Exchange) gold price to be delivered in December dropped by US$41.4, or 2 per cent, to $2,028 (Bt63,266.80) per ounce at Friday’s close (August 7).

Gold price fell for the first time after rising for five consecutive days due to mass sell-offs in gold contracts after the dollar strengthened, causing the gold to become expensive for investors who hold other currencies.

Meanwhile, increasing US employment caused a decline in demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.

The Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society said that Hong Kong gold price dropped by HK$260, opening at $18,800 (Bt75,687.34) per tael on Monday morning.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Industry wants govt to lift barriers for doing business in Thailand

EconAug 10. 2020

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries

By The Nation

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) will ask new Finance Minister Predee Daochai to lower barriers to doing business in Thailand, said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

The JSCCIB wants the government to set up a public-private committee to boost ease of doing business. It will also ask the minister to revise arcane rules deemed to be obstacles to doing business in Thailand, he added.

The moves would boost Thailand’s World Bank ranking for ease of doing business from its current 21st

place, Supant said.

The joint standing committee will also ask the government to extend the relief measures beyond their original end dates to mitigate impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak, he said.

He said the government should also boost the property market by reducing mortgage fees and transfer fees for residences worth up to Bt50 million. This would increase demand for upscale real estate asset, which would help lift the economy, he added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Investors opt for corporate bonds as Covid-19 impact eases

EconAug 10. 2020

By The Nation

Investment in corporate bonds has improved over the past two months as investors appear to be less worried about the Covid-19 fallout, said Ariya Tiranaprakij, senior executive vice president of The Thai Bond Market Association.

The other contributing factor is that investors are looking for investments that yield high returns now that deposits are getting low interest.

She added that many firms have started raising funds by issuing bonds after having to postpone their planned bond issuance earlier.

In the first week of August, the value of issued bonds stood at Bt9.580 billion.

If the Covid-19 situation continues to improve, the association expects to see between Bt80 billion and Bt90 billion worth of bonds to be issued monthly for the rest of the year. Total bond issuance this year is expected to hit at least Bt800 billion.