SCB subsidiary advises investors to pick stocks of banks with strong financial base #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

SCB subsidiary advises investors to pick stocks of banks with strong financial base

Econ

Jun 25. 2020

By The Nation

SCB Asset Management (SCBAM) advised investors to buy bank stocks that have a strong financial base as it can generate profits and pay dividends in the long term amid various negative factors.

Nunmanus Piamthipmanus, chief investment officer at SCBAM, said that investors must consider bad debt reserve, capital funding, and customer base whether it can take risks or not.

“Banks with a strong financial base can generate profits and pay dividends in the long term because they can cope with the impact from crises and asset quality deterioration,” she said.

She said that bank stocks are still under pressure from various negative factors, such as a decline in profitability, change in business structure, and asset quality deterioration, leading to increase in bad debts.

“These negative factors would cause an impact on bank stocks in the long term because debtors both household and business sectors still suffered from the decline in income due to restrictions in economic activities,” she said.

“Meanwhile, fund managers had reduced investment in bank stocks before the Covid-19 outbreak.”

She added that the Bank of Thailand’s move ordering banks to hold off paying interim dividend and buying back shares would enable banks to cope with the crisis although investors expecting dividends were disappointed.

“When the economy recovers, banks would be able to grant more loans,” she added.

Separately, she said that investment in funds that focus on dividend stocks is still a good choice when the stock market is still facing volatility, but dividends may drop lower than in previous years.

“The Covid-19 outbreak caused an impact on every business sector, which can be seen from the decline in gross domestic product and listed companies’ profit forecasts,” she said.

“Meanwhile, many experts expected the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s earnings per share this year to drop over 20 per cent year on year.”

She advised investors to opt for SCB Dividend Stock Open-End Fund (SCBDV) as the returns since establishment was 8.96 per cent.

“Recently, this fund was awarded the best equity fund 2020 in the category of equity large-cap by Morningstar Research [Thailand],” she added.

Emerging East Asian bonds feel the impact of Covid-19 #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Emerging East Asian bonds feel the impact of Covid-19

Econ

Jun 25. 2020

By The Nation

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic continues to drag on local currency bond markets in emerging East Asia as investment sentiment globally and in the region wane and containment measures limit economic activity, says the latest issue of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Bond Monitor.

“Governments and central banks in the region have taken significant measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 through fiscal stimulus packages and eased monetary policies. But more needs to be done to strengthen the region’s economies and financial markets,” said ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada. “While overall investment sentiment is still down, there are signs of recovery in some economies as quarantine measures are strategically relaxed.”

Emerging East Asia is comprised of: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Government bond yields trended downwards in most regional markets between February 28 and May 29 this year, while equity markets in emerging East Asia suffered losses and local currencies depreciated against the US dollar.

Credit spreads have widened for nearly all markets in the region as investors took a risk-averse approach, with the share of foreign holdings in most of emerging East Asia’s local currency bond markets also declining.

Risks to the global outlook remain heavily tilted to the downside, mainly due to the uncertainty brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the prospect of longer periods of minimal economic activity and further waves of outbreaks. Other risk factors include trade tensions between the China and the US, as well as financial volatility due to capital outflows from emerging markets.

Local currency bonds outstanding in emerging East Asia totalled $16.3 trillion at the end of March, up 4.2 per cent from December 2019 and 14 per cent higher than in March 2019. Bond issuance in the region reached $1.7 trillion in the first quarter of 2020, up 19.7 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2019. Emerging East Asia’s local currency bonds outstanding as a share of gross domestic product rose to 87.8 per cent at the end of March.

Government bonds outstanding rose to $9.9 trillion at the end of March, while corporate bonds reached $6.4 trillion. China remains the largest bond market in emerging East Asia, accounting for 76.6 per cent of the total bond stock at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

The second issue of Asia Bond Monitor this year explores the impact of Covid-19 on capital markets; the possibility of issuing pandemic bonds as an option to fight Covid-19; the rising attention to social bonds in response to the pandemic; using fintech to promote inclusive growth and pandemic resilience; and the infrastructure and policies needed for firms to obtain financing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report also includes a theme chapter on the link between financial architecture and innovation. It highlights the importance of a sound and efficient financial system in fostering a viable innovation environment.

Stronger dollar, mass gold sell-offs pressure precious metal #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Stronger dollar, mass gold sell-offs pressure precious metal

Econ

Jun 25. 2020

By The Nation

The price of gold dropped sharply by Bt150 per baht weight in morning trade on Thursday (June 25), the Gold Traders Association reported.

As of 9.27am, buying price of a gold bar was Bt25,650 per baht weight and selling price Bt25,750, while gold ornaments were priced at Bt25,180.76 and Bt26,250, respectively.

At close on Wednesday (June 24), buying price of a gold bar was Bt25,800 per baht weight and selling price Bt25,900, while gold ornaments were priced at Bt25,332.36 and Bt26,400, respectively.

The Gold Spot Index price on Thursday morning moved to around US$1,761 (Bt54,447) per ounce after the price dropped by $6.9 to $1,775.1 per ounce at close on Wednesday.

Gold was pressured by the stronger dollar and mass sell-offs after the price skyrocketed. However, some investors are still buying gold as a safe haven asset after the US stock index fell sharply.

Airbnb hosts in Thailand given new safety standards to follow #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Airbnb hosts in Thailand given new safety standards to follow

Jun 25. 2020

By THE NATION

In line with the lifting of lockdown measures under conditions of safety, Airbnb announced the launch of its “enhanced clean” programme in Thailand on Thursday (June 25), offering a standardised protocol for cleaning and sanitisation in the home-sharing industry.

Before launching the protocol, Airbnb sought guidance from the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Health, which provided recommendations in line with the country’s standards when it comes to sanitisation materials and cleaning methods.

Following guidelines from the World Health Organisation, the enhanced clean programme was developed in consultation with experts in the hospitality and medical hygiene sector, including Prof Dr Vip Viprakasit, the professor of Paediatrics and Haematology at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

Airbnb also collaborated with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to support guidelines for the short-term rental industry, and its standards have earned the WTTC Safe Travels seal.

The enhanced clean programme will be progressively rolled out in the coming weeks, providing local hosts step-by-step guidance on how to clean and sanitise their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Hosts who follow the programme will receive a special badge on their listing, making it easy for guests to identify and book listings that are safe.

“Airbnb hosts in Thailand pride themselves on offering a great guest experience and cleanliness is a key part of that. This new protocol will empower hosts and guests with the information they need to keep themselves safe and restore traveller confidence. We believe these standards set the bar for short-term rental accommodation and could form the foundation for a new industry-wide standard in Thailand,” said Mich Goh, chief of Airbnb’s public policy department for Southeast Asia.

Watsons distribution centre coming up in Frasers’ Khon Kaen logistics park #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Watsons distribution centre coming up in Frasers’ Khon Kaen logistics park

Jun 25. 2020

By THE NATION

Frasers Property (Thailand) Pcl and Central Watson Co Ltd (“Central Watson”) have joined hands to open Watsons first modern distribution centre in Khon Kaen province.

The centre will be located in Frasers’ Khon Kaen logistics park project, situated on Mitrapap Highway No. 2 close to the Muang district of Khon Kaen province.

The establishment of this regional distribution centre would allow Central Watson, a global health and beauty products retailer, to strengthen its supply chain and logistics management efficiency while minimising the cost of operation in the focused markets of the Northeast region, they said.

In addition to Central Watson’s existing distribution centre in Frasers’ Bangplee cluster, this centre will increase Central Watson’s operational capabilities with faster delivery to online shoppers. Upon completion of this centre, the total area leased to Central Watson by Frasers will be over 21,000 square metres.

The total built area covers 9,000sqm and the new warehouse is expected to facilitate future expansion.

The Central Watson’s distribution centre is expected to be completed by the first half of 2021.

Line Thailand launches campaign to ‘Debut’ new influencers #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Line Thailand launches campaign to ‘Debut’ new influencers

Jun 24. 2020

By THE NATION

Line Thailand is launching the “Debut” campaign to find new influencers in the local social media industry and offering up to Bt5 million in awards.

Contestants, aged between 15 and 28, are required to submit photographs and videos. 

Photographs must comprise a portrait, a mugshot and a full-body shot, while videos must include an introduction clip and one displaying the contestant’s talent. Clips can be no longer than three minutes. 

Winners will not only get awards but will also get a chance to attend the “Line Debut Camp”, where they will be trained in the art of influencing by five professional influencers. 

Winners will also get to appear in Line TV dramas as well as participate in content produced by content provider, Good Day Official.

Those interested have until July 8 to register via @lineidolth. Additional details can also be found in the official account.

Grand Mercure hotel prepares to reopen under new normal #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Grand Mercure hotel prepares to reopen under new normal

Jun 24. 2020

By The Nation

Bangkok’s Grand Mercure Fortune hotel is launching several promotions as it prepares to reopen on July 1 under the “new normal”.

The promotions include:

• Deluxe rooms at Bt2,499 net per night including breakfast from July 1 to September 30.

• Late check-out at 2pm based on room availability.

• Early check-in from 8am based on room availability.

• Welcome drink.

• Free upgrade to Grand Deluxe (without benefits) for patrons staying for a minimum of two nights.

• 50 per cent discount on buffet lunch and dinner at the One Ratchada Restaurant (food only).

• 30 per cent discount at the SilpArt Wellness and Spa.

Call (02) 641 1500, email H5931-SM7@accor.com, or visit official website for more information.

Electricity authority warns of bill collection, services scam #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Electricity authority warns of bill collection, services scam

Jun 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has warned customers to beware of individuals claiming to be MEA staff and offering to collect money due on their power bill, change their meter or clean their air conditioner.

Phasuk Sampunnachote, MEA public relations director, on Tuesday (June 23) said there had been reports of individuals pretending to be MEA staff and providing services for a fee.

“MEA has no policy of dispatching staff to provide services at houses of customers who haven’t booked a service with us in advance,” she said.

“Our annual aircon cleaning campaign started in March, but users must register via the MEA Smart Life application to receive the professional service, which costs only Bt300.” However, she added that this year’s campaign had ended after the service limit was reached, while registration for next year’s campaign hasn’t started yet.

“MEA is not offering meter-changing or maintenance services at the moment,” she said. “Furthermore, customers can conveniently pay their power bills via credit card, internet banking, ATMs, mobile banking, the MEA Smart Life app or at MEA branch offices.”

For the latest updates on MEA’s campaign activities, contact the call centre at 1130, or see twitter: @MEA_news, Line: @meathailand, Facebook: @Metropolitan.Electricity.Authority or download the “MEA Smart Life” mobile app, available for both Android and iOS users.

“If you witness or have information about individuals pretending to be MEA agents, please alert local police or contact MEA via the above-mentioned channels,” said Phasuk.

Bangkok’s serviced apartments weathering the storm #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Bangkok’s serviced apartments weathering the storm

Jun 24. 2020Pimpanga Yomchinda, vice president, Investment Sales Asia, JLL Hotels and Hospitality GroupPimpanga Yomchinda, vice president, Investment Sales Asia, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group

By THE NATION

Thailand’s hospitality industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and Bangkok’s serviced apartments are no exception.

However, a recent study by property consultant JLL shows serviced apartments have generally fared better than hotels in current and past crises.

The global property consultant expects the pandemic to boost the growing trend for mixed-use formats offering hotel rooms and serviced apartments in a single development, as well as continuing interest from local and regional developers in developing standalone serviced apartments.

JLL’s study monitored international grade hotels and serviced apartments across Bangkok between January and April 2020. Findings from the study show that over 80 per cent of the city’s serviced apartments remained open at the end of April, with the average occupancy rates declining by 30 per cent year-on-year.

During the same period, most hotels across the city were shut down and those that remained open saw occupancy rates drop by nearly 50 per cent year on year, many into single digits.

“While the ongoing tourism market slump has forced the majority of hotels across Thailand to close their doors in order to lower their fixed costs, most of the Bangkok’s serviced apartments have remained open to serve long-stay guests,” said Pimpanga Yomchinda, vice president, Investment Sales Asia, JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group.

“Tourists or short-stay guests represent a smaller demand source in Bangkok’s serviced apartment sector. Though we have seen serviced apartments shifting their guest acquisition strategies by increasing the portion of short-stay guests in recent years, long-stay guests, most of whom are expatriates, have remained their top source of demand. This explains why the serviced apartment sector has felt relatively smaller impact from the Covis-19 pandemic than hotels that rely more on short-stay demand from tourists,” she explained.

JLL’s study indicates that, historically, the average distribution between short- and long-stay guests in serviced apartments has been 25:75 with a gradual shift in recent years to 40:60.

On the other hand, the majority of hotels do not have long-stay guests. While majority of traditional hotels do not target long-stay guests, there has been a recent trend in hotels expanding into extended-stay market, notably Bangkok Marriott Hotel the Surawong and the upcoming Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 34.

Alex Sigeda, vice president, Strategic Advisory & Asset Management, said: “With core demand from long-stay customer base, serviced apartments have proven to be more resilient than other hospitality segments in the time of crisis. A similar pattern was witnessed during past events had major effects on Thailand’s tourism industry, such as the great flood in 2011, political unrest in 2013-2014 and the baht appreciation in 2019.”

While the Covid-19 crisis has led to many “new normal” in the hospitality industry, JLL expects the pandemic to also accelerate the emergence of a hybrid accommodation development format that combines hotel and serviced apartments.

“As investment asset classes, serviced apartments and hotels have their respective advantages and disadvantages. The former generally offers a more efficient and stable operation that keeps the operator relatively safe in a down market. The latter generally offers more yielding opportunities during periods of high demand, given a more flexible inventory without long-stay offerings,” said Sigeda.

To help bridge the gap between these two models, regional and global operators have been introducing a number of hybrid options into their brand stables, focusing on short-stay demand, while still reserving a portion of their room inventory for the long-stay segment, according to Pimpanga. “We expect this trend to grow further as operators have realized complementary advantages of the two accommodation types. Among the recent examples in Bangkok are Staybridge Suites Thonglor by IHG and the upcoming Lyf Sukhumvit 8 by Ascott.”

Market snapshot

In the basket of hospitality developments that JLL monitors, there are over 90 serviced apartment developments with more than 9,500 rooms across Bangkok, accounting for 7.5 per cent of the city’s combined stock of serviced apartments and hotel rooms.

While many of these developments are unbranded, a large number are managed by international and domestic operators such as Marriott International, InterContinental Hotel Group, Ascott, Oakwood, Onyx, Chatrium Hotels & Residences, and Jasmine Group.

Lufthansa’s biggest investor to back government bailout deal #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Lufthansa’s biggest investor to back government bailout deal

Corporate

Jun 25. 2020Billionaire Heinz Hermann Thiele, during a television interview at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, on Oct. 12, 2018. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Alex Kraus.Billionaire Heinz Hermann Thiele, during a television interview at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, on Oct. 12, 2018. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Alex Kraus.

By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · William Wilkes · BUSINESS, WORLD, US-GLOBAL-MARKETS, EUROPE 
Billionaire Heinz Hermann Thiele told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he’d support the package at Thursday’s special shareholder meeting. He had earlier criticized a steep discount being granted to the German government on a 20% stake, and he had the votes to stop it single-handedly.

“I will vote in favor of the proposed resolution,” Thiele told the newspaper in an interview published on its website Wednesday.

With Thiele’s support, the measure appears likely to surpass the two-thirds backing required for its approval. Because only 38% of Lufthansa shareholders registered for the special meeting, Thiele’s 15.5% stake in the company translates into about 41% of the votes. Lufthansa needs to secure about half the remaining votes registered for the share sale to pass.

Analysts at Societe Generale and Berenberg both said they’d expect the measure to prevail with the support of the 79-year-old Thiele. Mark Manduca, an analyst with Citibank, projects the stock to jump as much as 10% if the deal goes through.

Securing a state holding would be a victory for Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, pleasing his Social Democratic allies and bolstering his ambitions to run for chancellor next year. Economy Minister Peter Altmaier would secure a landmark deal that’s meant to serve as a model for the government’s plan to take a more activist approach to managing Germany’s economy.

Unions, many investors and proxy advisory firms recommend shareholders back the deal. It’s not clear what the rationale for blocking the package would be without a major investor proposing an alternative.

“A government-orchestrated bailout is better than insolvency,” said Patrick Schuchter of Union Investment, holder of a 0.12% stake. He plans to vote for the rescue, despite the drawbacks for shareholders. “Investors need to choose the lesser evil or sell their shares.”

Lufthansa shares have fallen about 45% this year after the coronavirus forced airlines across the globe to ground fleets. The biggest carreir in Europe now has a market cap of about $4.8 billion — less than one-third of Thiele’s fortune. It had warned previously that it was facing a cash crunch and would have trouble paying wages in July.

Labor too has gotten behind the package, despite Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr’s plan to reduce staffing by more than 20,000 positions. A potential insolvency filing, which the airline warned was possible in the event the bailout was shot down, could cause job losses on an even larger scale.

“We extraordinarily welcome the decision to support the state aid package for Lufthansa at tomorrow’s annual general meeting,” Christine Behle, a supervisory board member and deputy chairman of labor union Ver.di, said in an emailed statement. “With this the survival of the company would be secured and an insolvency avoided.”

The meeting starts at 12 p.m. in Frankfurt. Spohr will address shareholders before opening the floor to questions. The process could take several hours before the vote proceeds and the results are released later in the afternoon.